France commits to anti-ISIS coalition as U.S. begins drawdown
France has reaffirmed its role in the global coalition against ISIS, despite the imminent withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.
France has reaffirmed its role in the global coalition against ISIS, despite the imminent withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.
A spokesperson for the French Army confirmed that Paris and Baghdad are collaborating to train and qualify Iraqi forces, underscoring that France will continue to be an active member of the coalition.
The announcement comes as the Iraqi Defense Minister, Thabel Al-Abasi, disclosed an agreement with the United States to withdraw coalition forces over the next two years. The withdrawal will occur in two phases: the first concluding in 2025 and the second in 2026. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has requested an additional year for the withdrawal, but Baghdad has refused this extension.
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The discussions between Iraq and the U.S. to end the coalition’s operations began in January, culminating in a late July visit to Washington by an Iraqi delegation led by Al-Abasi to finalize the terms.
The coalition, consisting of 87 partners, was established to combat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. While the U.S. plans its exit, France’s continued involvement highlights the enduring commitment of other coalition members to countering terrorism in the region.
