Iraq, US engage in talks to reduce US-led troops combatting ISIS

Washington and Baghdad have initiated discussions aimed at establishing a timeline for the reduction of troops within the US-led coalition combating the Islamic State (IS), as announced by Iraq on Thursday. The backdrop for these talks is marked by heightened tensions, with US forces responding to numerous attacks on bases hosting coalition troops by striking Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, involving the US ally Israel and the Iran-backed Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, has added complexity to the situation. Both nations have agreed to establish working groups that will eventually craft a “specific and clear timeline” for the gradual reduction of coalition advisers on Iraqi soil, according to Iraq’s foreign ministry.

This timeline, as outlined by the ministry, will be contingent upon an assessment of the threat posed by IS, evaluating its danger, and reinforcing the capacities of Iraqi security forces. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed upcoming meetings to discuss the “transition” of the coalition, building on outcomes from the Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue held between the two nations in August.

The discussions will play a pivotal role in determining how the coalition’s military mission evolves over time. Factors to be considered include the ongoing threat from IS, operational and environmental requirements, and the capabilities of Iraq’s security forces, as stated in the official statement.

Currently, approximately 2,500 US troops are deployed in Iraq, with an additional 900 in Syria as part of the anti-IS coalition initiated in 2014. Recent US strikes on Iran-backed groups have elicited condemnation from Baghdad, with Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani urging the coalition to exit the country. The forthcoming talks are anticipated to shape the trajectory of the coalition’s presence in the region.