The Pentagon has stated that it currently has no plans to withdraw its approximately 2,500 troops from Iraq, despite the recent announcement by Baghdad to remove the US-led military coalition from the country. Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder confirmed this during a news briefing, emphasizing that the focus remains on the mission to defeat ISIS. He also highlighted that the US forces are present in Iraq at the invitation of the government. Ryder further mentioned that there has been no notification from Baghdad to the Department of Defense regarding the decision to remove US troops, directing reporters to the US State Department for any diplomatic discussions on the matter.
Last week, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s office declared the intention to evict US forces following a US drone strike in Baghdad that was condemned by the Iraqi government. The Pentagon justified the strike by stating that it targeted a militia leader responsible for recent attacks on US personnel. Sudani’s office announced the formation of a committee to permanently end the presence of the international coalition forces in Iraq, emphasizing their firm position on this matter.
The US strike, authorized by President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin before Austin’s hospitalization on New Year’s Day, has sparked outrage among Iran-aligned groups, who are now demanding the government’s action to terminate the coalition’s presence in Iraq. It is worth noting that the US has 900 troops in Syria, in addition to those stationed in Iraq, with a mission to advise and assist local forces in preventing the resurgence of ISIS.
The United States military has faced over 100 attacks in Iraq and Syria since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October. These attacks typically involve a combination of rockets and one-way attack drones. Sudani, who relied on the support of Iran-backed factions to secure power last year, now faces limited control over these groups, which hold significant influence in his governing coalition.
In response to a drone attack by Iran-aligned militants that critically injured one US service member and wounded two others, the United States conducted retaliatory airstrikes in Iraq last month. It is important to note that, apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
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