- Iraq’s
Joint Operations Command announced Wednesday. - Coalition
forces to fully withdraw from Ain al-Asad. - Withdrawal
from western Anbar province air base next week.
It is a step toward the US-led coalition’s military
withdrawal from the nation.
At a press briefing in Baghdad, Lt Gen. Qais al-Mohammadi,
deputy commander of the Joint Operations Command, stated that the base will be
fully turned over to Iraqi forces as part of the departure.
“Ain al-Asad will witness a full withdrawal next week and
be transferred to our Iraqi units,”
Mohammadi said.
“There is a timetable to complete all these steps. This
is an achievement related to Iraqi capabilities and to Iraqi sovereignty and
also reflects understanding with the United States and coalition countries to
shift the mission to bilateral memorandums.”
According to him, the future framework would concentrate on
sharing knowledge, intelligence, training, and equipment in a way that
guarantees Iraq’s independence and sovereignty and fosters the growth of its
security forces.
There are presently 2,500 US soldiers in Iraq. In order
to combat ISIS, which had ruled over substantial portions of Syria and Iraq, a
coalition comprising nations like France and Spain was established in 2014.
How will US bilateral agreements with Iraq change after
withdrawal?
US- Iraq bilateral agreements will transition from
coalition- led combat operations under Operation essential Resolve to a long-
term strategic cooperation concentrated on premonitory support, training,
intelligence sharing, and profitable tiespost-withdrawal.
The 2024 agreement outlines two phases: full coalition exit
from bases like Ain al- Asad by September 2025, followed by a unilateral US
presence through 2026 emphasizing capacity- structure for Iraqi forces against
ISIS remnants, without combat places.
Security cooperation persists via the 2008 Strategic
Framework Agreement, expanding into profitable diversification, energy
independence, and banking reforms; hundreds of US colors may remain in
premonitory capacities, potentially in Kurdistan, to cover Syria pitfalls and
counter Iranian influence.
