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La Jornada Newspaper
Saturday, September 28, 2024, p. 18
Washington. The United States announced yesterday that it had reached an agreement with the Iraqi government to conclude in 2025 the mission in Iraq of a coalition led by Washington that fights the Islamic State group, through which US forces will abandon some bases that they have occupied for two decades.
President Joe Biden’s administration declined to provide details on how many of the 2,500 US troops still stationed in Iraq will remain there; He also did not report whether this will mark a total withdrawal from the country.
It is fair to say that our footprint is going to change within the countryPentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters yesterday.
The announcement occurs at a particularly conflictive situation in the Middle East, where the escalation of the confrontation between Israel and two militia groups backed by Iran – Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza – threatens to unleash a broader regional war.
For years, Iraqi authorities have periodically called for the withdrawal of coalition forces, and formal talks have been underway for months to reduce the US presence in the country.
The United States invaded Iraq in March 2003, leveling large swathes of the country and paving the way for American infantry to settle in Baghdad.
The invasion was based on what turned out to be false allegations that Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein, in office for 25 years, was hiding weapons of mass destruction. This arsenal was never found.
