After months of tension, the United States and Iraq took note, in June, of a reduction in American troops on Iraqi soil. The decision became effective on Wednesday September 9, announced General Kenneth McKenzie, head of the US military command in the Middle East.
“Recognizing the great progress made by Iraqi forces and in consultation and coordination with the Iraqi government and our coalition partners, the United States has decided to reduce its military presence in Iraq from approximately 5,200 to 3,000 personnel during the month of September “, General McKenzie said in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital.
The White House said on Tuesday that an announcement was near about a further reduction in US troops in Iraq, where US soldiers chasing jihadist sleeper cells face growing attacks from pro-Iranian factions.
Fight against the last elements of the Islamic State
The United States will continue to support the Iraqi army in its fight against the last elements of the Islamic State (IS) group still active in the country and will maintain a limited presence in Syria, the American general said in a speech to the occasion of the assumption of functions of the new commander of the anti-IS coalition, General Paul Calvert.
US President Donald Trump, who will run for a second term in the November 3 presidential election, campaigned in 2016 by promising to end the “Endless wars” the United States, which nevertheless continues to have reduced troops in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. US troops invaded Iraq in 2003 and left in 2011, but returned in 2014 after ISIS invaded large parts of Iraq.
Tensions between the United States and Iraq peaked in January following the deaths of Iranian General Ghassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al-Mohandes in a drone strike targeted by the United States. Emirates near Baghdad airport.
