Iraq announces plans to conclude US-led coalition mission following recent escalations
In response to heightened tensions after a US attack in Baghdad that claimed the life of a militia commander, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani declared on Friday the initiation of a committee tasked with orchestrating the departure of the US-led coalition from the country.
The announcement follows calls from Iran-backed groups, incensed by the recent incident, advocating for an end to the presence of the US-led coalition in Iraq. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the Iraqi government is in the process of determining the committee’s formation date, which will oversee the permanent withdrawal of international coalition forces.
Government sources revealed that representatives from the military coalition will participate in the committee. The Pentagon, citing retaliation for recent attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria, reported a US airstrike on Thursday.
Currently, approximately 900 US soldiers are stationed in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq, with the primary objective of preventing the resurgence of ISIS. The region has witnessed over 100 attacks on US and international coalition forces since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in October, predominantly involving missiles and one-way attack drones.
