Russia’s Special Envoy for Syrian Settlement, Alexander Lavrentiev, announced on Friday that Iraq has informed Moscow of the United States’ readiness to withdraw its forces from the country. Lavrentiev mentioned that the withdrawal process could take a month or two, similar to what happened in Afghanistan, or it could extend over years.
In an interview with the Russian agency Sputnik, Lavrentiev stated, “The Iraqis told us that the American ambassador in Baghdad announced the American side’s readiness to meet the Iraqi side’s request, which was confirmed by a parliamentary decision. I even specifically asked our Iraqi friends if they had received any refusal to comply with the demands. They answered that the United States had agreed.”
The Russian official pointed out that the Iraqi side confirmed Baghdad has forces capable of maintaining order “across almost all of Iraq… and are ready to take full responsibility for maintaining order and ensuring security, without the need for a military presence.”
Furthermore, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry announced yesterday that an agreement was reached with the United States to draft a timeline for the presence of international coalition advisors in the country.
The United States and Iraq are engaging in discussions regarding the future of U.S. troop presence in Iraq, marking a significant step towards redefining their bilateral relations. These talks aim to conclude the mission of the U.S.-led international military coalition, which was initially formed to combat the Islamic State. The discussions were catalyzed by a letter from the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, signaling the U.S.’s willingness to move forward without insisting on the cessation of attacks by Iran-backed Iraqi militant groups as a precondition .
The dialogue, convened by the Iraq Higher Military Commission, will explore the transition of the Coalition’s mission against ISIS, taking into consideration the threat level from ISIS, operational requirements, and the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces. Despite the initiation of talks, there is no immediate plan for the withdrawal of the 2,500 U.S. troops currently stationed in Iraq . The Iraqi government has expressed its intention to establish a clear timetable for the reduction of international coalition advisors and to end the military mission against ISIS, reflecting a desire to assume greater responsibility for national security .
This development comes at a time when the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq has been a subject of contention, influenced by regional dynamics and internal pressures within Iraq. The outcome of these talks could have significant implications for the security landscape in Iraq and the broader Middle East region.