SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Wednesday announced the end of the U.S.-led coalition’s combat mission in Iraq after the withdrawal of the forces from the country.
“The Coalition have fully completed their combat role after transfer of personnel and material outside Iraq,” Kadhimi said in a tweet.
“Going forward, their role will be to advise and assist our security forces per the outcome of the Strategic Dialogue,” he added.
The Iraqi premier reaffirmed that the security forces “stand ready to defend our people”.
In July, U.S. President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi sealed an agreement to formally end the combat mission in Iraq by the end of 2021. The United States has kept around 2,500 troops in Iraq since 2020.
On December 13, White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk said during his meetings with Iraqi officials that there were “no longer” U.S. forces serving in a combat role in Iraq.
U.S. commander for the Middle East Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie said in an interview with AP that the United States would keep the current 2,500 troops in Iraq for the foreseeable future and that it would still provide air support and other military aid for Iraq’s fight against Islamic State (ISIS).
