The withdrawal of the international coalition forces from Iraq will occur in two phases, with an agreement expected to be signed within days
Abbas al-Abadi explained that the understanding involves a first phase from September of this year until September 2025, which will include Baghdad and the military bases for advisors. This will be followed by a second phase from September 2025 until September 2026, during which the withdrawal will extend to Kurdistan
Al-Abadi noted that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin considered "two years insufficient" to complete the withdrawal; however, Baghdad "definitely rejected his proposal for an additional third year
The United States currently deploys approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and around 900 in Syria as part of the coalition established in 2014 to fight the ISIS organization, which also includes forces from France, the United Kingdom, and other countries
Baghdad and Washington have been negotiating for months regarding the gradual reduction of coalition forces in Iraq, but the Iraqi Defense Minister suggested that the agreement, which was discussed in Washington, might be signed "possibly within the next few days" to finalize the mission