The United States and Iraq have commenced formal dialogues in Baghdad to end the mission of the U.S.-led military coalition formed to fight the Islamic State group. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the beginning of these bilateral talks, marking a significant development in the long-standing military collaboration between the two countries. A coalition statement highlighted the agenda of these discussions, including assessing the threat of Daesh (IS), operational requirements, and the capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces, aiming to transition the mission in Iraq.
the U.S. has maintained a continuous presence in Iraq since the 2003 invasion, with thousands of troops returning in 2014 to assist the Iraqi government in defeating IS. The call for coalition force withdrawal has been a recurring theme, especially after a U.S. airstrike in 2020 killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.Â
Best Coverage: