"US to Withdraw Combat Troops Stationed in Iraq Within This Year"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 22nd (local time) that the United States is expected to announce a plan to withdraw its combat troops stationed in Iraq within this year.

The Journal cited U.S. and Iraqi government officials, stating that the two countries plan to issue a joint statement containing this information on the 26th.

Fuad Hussein, Iraq's Foreign Minister, said in an interview with WSJ, "As long as the Iraqi army is present, U.S. combat troops are no longer necessary," but added, "Cooperation in intelligence, military training, and air support is still needed."

The statement is expected to be announced during Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi's visit to the White House on the 26th, where he will meet with President Biden.

WSJ also added that even if combat troops are withdrawn, support troops to assist missions such as combating the extremist armed group Islamic State (IS) will continue to be stationed.

This reflects concerns that the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops could reduce the ability to respond to IS.

This decision comes amid escalating armed clashes between pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq and U.S. forces. On the 7th, pro-Iran militias fired 14 rockets at a U.S. military base located in western Iraq, injuring two U.S. personnel.

WSJ reported that it is uncertain whether this decision can appease the opposition factions of Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi within Iraq amid the confrontation between the U.S. and Iran.

Following the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the powerful commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, in Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, the Iraqi parliament passed a resolution in January last year urging the withdrawal of foreign troops, including the U.S., stationed in the country.

Meanwhile, U.S. troops stationed in Iraq after the 2003 Second Gulf War withdrew in 2011 under a security agreement mediated by former President George W. Bush.

However, with the rise of IS, U.S. troops were redeployed starting in 2014, and currently, about 2,500 U.S. troops are stationed there.