The Pentagon has announced plans to wrap up the US-led mission in Iraq by next year, with many troops leaving the bases they have occupied for the past two decades. The Biden administration insists that their plan is not to fully withdraw from Iraq but declined to specify how many of the 2,500 troops currently stationed there will remain. The Iraqi government has reached a deal with the Biden administration to remove most US troops from the nation within the next two years. US officials have disputed the characterization of this plan as a withdrawal, leading to confusion about what the American presence in Iraq will look like in the coming months.
Former presidential envoy James Jeffrey expressed concerns that pulling troops out of Iraq could undercut the fight against ISIS and create opportunities for Russia and Iran to tighten their influence in the region. The current mission in Iraq is set to end by September 2025, prompting worries about the lack of support for the 900 troops stationed in Syria. The Baghdad government and Washington have agreed that US forces in Syria will be supported from a presence on the Iraqi side of the border at least through September 2026. US Central Command announced that forces in Syria had conducted targeted strikes that killed 37 terrorists, including leaders of ISIS and an al-Qaeda affiliate.
US troops in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan have faced increased attacks since the eruption of war between Israel and Hamas nearly a year ago. Three US troops were killed by a drone attack in January in Jordan, and American forces have responded with airstrikes. Last month, seven US troops were wounded in an operation targeting ISIS in western Iraq. Despite plans to depart Iraq, the US military presence in the broader Middle East is expanding, with officials announcing the addition of a “few thousand” more troops to the roughly 40,000 service members deployed in the region.
There are concerns about the influence of Iran on the Iraqi government, with some arguing that a US presence indirectly benefits Iran due to the current political landscape in Iraq. The director of Concerned Veterans for America and Iraq War veteran, Jason Beardsley, believes that ISIS is a challenge that the government of Iraq should be handling themselves. Some are worried that the withdrawal of US troops could pave the way for Iran to increase its influence in the region. The Kurdish north of Iraq is seen as particularly important for supporting US troops in northeast Syria.
US forces in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan have come under attack, with casualties reported, particularly in response to actions taken in support of operations against ISIS. The US military has responded with airstrikes and ongoing operations. The Iraqi public has been critical of these actions, and there is concern about the impact that the presence of US forces is having on the region. As troops prepare to leave Iraq, the US military presence in other parts of the Middle East is growing, with additional troops being deployed to the region. The situation in the Middle East remains complex, with ongoing challenges and tensions requiring careful navigation by US officials.
