The Iraqi government wants the US to begin drawing down the number of troops it has in Iraq starting this September, Reuters reported on Monday, citing four Iraqi sources.
The sources said Baghdad wants the US-led anti-ISIS coalition to formally end its work by September 2025, although some US troops will likely remain in a different capacity. The US currently has 2,500 US troops in Iraq, a presence that supports the US occupation of eastern Syria, where there are about 900 US soldiers deployed.
There’s no formal agreement yet on the withdrawal of some US forces or the timetable. US and Iraqi officials will discuss the issue this week during a meeting in Washington.
Any agreement that leaves US troops in Iraq could lead to more attacks on US bases by Iraqi Shia militias, as they have been pressuring Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to expel US forces.
Al-Sudani began calling for the US to withdraw after President Biden began launching airstrikes in Iraq against the Shia militias that fall under the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella group of militias that are part of Iraq’s security forces.
Al-Sudani has said that Iraqi forces could handle the ISIS remnants in the country without the US-led coalition. The US and Iraq entered talks on the issue, but there’s been no sign of progress yet.
Iraq’s parliament voted to expel US forces back in 2020 after a US drone strike in Baghdad killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani and PMF leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. But the US refused to leave and has been able to stay in Iraq despite the frequent calls for withdrawal due to Washington’s significant economic leverage over Baghdad.
Since the 2003 invasion, Iraq’s foreign reserves have been held by the US Federal Reserve, giving Washington control over Baghdad’s dollar supply and the ability to devalue the Iraqi dinar. The US also keeps tight control over Iraq’s ability to pay its neighbor Iran for much-needed electricity.
Iraq should repeat this every week without a miss until it goes across…!
They should build artistic statues asking the US to leave, posters: cover everything with requests to leave.
Repetition works better…!
We still have troops in Iraq….just so we can illegally occupy Syria for no reason (actually, to steal their oil..)Where do we not have troops on this planet?
The US southern border.
Great! Lets load up the trucks and drive down to Basra load em on the ships and we are outta there.
The US currently has 2,500 US troops in Iraq, a presence that supports the US occupation of eastern Syria, where there are about 900 US soldiers deployed.
One illegal occupation protecting another illegal occupation.
Iraq : "Yeah, America, it's getting late, and having you attack our own security forces is confusing the kids. Best you hit the ol' dusty trail."
USA : "Nah. We like it here. Good proximity to people we want as enemies. Oh, and, like, NO Mexicans here ! That and the ruined infrastructure & broken society are like living in Trump's second term, but a year early !"
Americans: “The US is a force for good, making the world a better place.”
Iraqis: “Fine. Fine. Just go home. We appreciate whatever delusion you have about events here. Just go home.”
Americans: “We will destroy you if you make us leave. We’re here to help!”
We were supposed to be gone years ago. Years ago!
You don't (or rather can't) just tell the Mob to leave. Haven't they seen the Godfather trilogy?
In other words Iraq remains a US occupied country. Surprise, surprise…