Sources: Iraq looks forward to withdrawal of international coalition forces starting in September

Four Iraqi sources reported that Iraq wants the US-led military coalition forces to begin withdrawing starting next September, and to officially end the coalition’s work by September 2025, with the possibility of some US forces remaining in a newly negotiated advisory capacity.

Reuters quoted Iraqi sources and American officials as saying that the Iraqi position is being discussed with American officials in Washington this week at a security summit, and that there is no official agreement to end the alliance or any timetable associated with it yet.

The two sides are meeting in Washington this week to determine how to transition the U.S.-led coalition’s mission based on the threat posed by the Islamic State group, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a briefing, adding that he had no further details.

US-led forces invaded Iraq in 2003, toppling former President Saddam Hussein, then withdrew in 2011, only to return in 2014 to fight ISIS at the head of the coalition.

Shafaq.com