The United States will "Keep reducing" their military presence in Iraq against the jihadist Islamic State (IS) group "In the next few months", the American and Iraqi governments announced Thursday, June 11, in a joint statement following their "Strategic dialogue". "The two countries have noted that, in the light of the significant progress made towards eradicating the threat of IS, in the coming months the United States will continue to reduce its forces in Iraq", they said, without providing precise figures or timetables.
Washington will also "Discuss with the Iraqi government the status of the remaining forces", they added. "The United States has reiterated that it does not seek or request permanent bases or a permanent military presence in Iraq", according to this joint press release. "The Iraqi government is committed to protecting the military personnel of the international coalition" against IS "As well as the Iraqi installations which shelter it, in accordance with international law".
Anti-American sentiment
The dialogue was aimed at resuming language for the two allied countries after months of tension, marked by some thirty rocket attacks against American interests, attributed by Washington to pro-Iran forces.
Anti-American sentiment in Iraq escalated with the death in January of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and his Iraqi lieutenant killed in Baghdad in a raid ordered by President Donald Trump. Shi'a deputies immediately voted to expel foreign soldiers.
