On Thursday, the Pentagon announced the formal end to the US combat mission in Iraq, but all 2,500 troops that are currently in the country will stay in an advisory role.
The Biden administration agreed with Iraq back in July to end the US combat mission by the end of this year, and it was clear when the announcement was made that US troops would stay and nothing would really change.
The Iraqi government has been under pressure to expel the US since January 2020, when the US killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a drone strike in Baghdad. In the wake of the assassination, Iraq’s parliament voted unanimously to kick the US out.
Tensions flared earlier this year when President Biden bombed Iraqi Shia militias in eastern Syria and then again in Iraq. The deal to formally end the US combat role was meant to placate the militias that the US has been targeting, but without any significant drawdown of troops, they will likely not be satisfied.
“Remember, this is a change in mission, right? Not necessarily a change in physical posture,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. “There won’t be a dramatic shift from yesterday to tomorrow, based on how we’ve already been working ourselves into this new mission.”
Keeping troops in Iraq will achieve little but create a tripwire for further conflicts with Iraq’s Shia militias. The US troops are technically staying in Iraq to advise and train the government in its fight against ISIS remnants. But the US presence is likely more about curbing Iranian influence and supporting the US occupation of eastern Syria.
US Formally Ends Combat Mission in Iraq, But No Troops are Leaving
US – We are leaving, but not really!
Advice who? Get TFO
You could also say get TFO of my nightclub (!).
How will these troops be equipped? Any combat gear?
So the bombing will be controlled from Kuwait??
Maybe Biden learned in the Afghanistan withdrawal debacle that if you force the Pentagon to do something they don’t want to, they will find a way to hang it around your neck.
The US supports terrorists in Syria and elsewhere they are useful to advance Corporate interests.
The mission in Iraq may be ending (or entering a new phase, same as the old phase), the troops will continue going across the border into Syria to support the terrorists.
Oh they will leave atleast from areas controlled by central government.
The ones who stay will be in the Kurdish controlled territory just like in Syria. America’s man kadami will be out soon and sadr’s people r coming in
Sounds about right. The US doesn’t have to do much to keep the pot stirred.