US to reduce troops in Iraq in "next few months"

The United States announced on Thursday (June 11th) that it will "reduce" its military presence in Iraq after resuming language with the Iraqi government now headed by a Prime Minister more favorable to Washington, after months of tension.

Referring to "significant progress" against the jihadist group Islamic State, because of the American presence at the head of an international coalition, the two countries affirmed in a joint declaration that "the United States would continue to reduce its forces in Iraq" .

The withdrawal will take place "in the next few months," added the US and Iraqi governments, without specifying the extent or the precise timetable. Washington will also "discuss with the Iraqi government the status of the remaining forces", without seeking "a permanent military presence". A position in line with President Donald Trump's desire to disengage, who promised to "end the endless wars".

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This statement was made after a "strategic dialogue" by videoconference - because of the Covid-19 -, aimed at bringing back some stability in the stormy relations between the two allies.

This is an update to the "dialogue" from 2008, when the United States established conditions for its departure after invading Iraq. Since then, their troops have returned, far fewer in number, to fight against the Islamic State organization.

Soaring anti-American sentiment

More than two and a half years after the "victory" over the jihadists on the Iraqi side, the thousands of American soldiers in the country - they were 5,200 at the start of the year - were once again at the heart of the tensions.

Anti-American sentiment soared with the death in January of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and his Iraqi lieutenant, killed in Baghdad in a raid ordered by President Trump - after more rockets were fired at alleged American interests by Washington to pro-Iran forces. In the process, Shiite deputies voted to expel foreign soldiers.

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In Baghdad, however, a new Prime Minister has arrived. Former intelligence chief Moustafa al-Kazimi, who is believed to be close to the Americans and his Arab allies, changed the game. The man has taken the reins of a country in the midst of an economic crisis and which is still demanding justice for some 550 demonstrators killed in the repression of an unprecedented revolt.

If his predecessor Adel Abdel Mahdi never managed to get an invitation to Washington, the new Prime Minister already has his card for the White House this year, assure AFP two government officials. "There was a problem of trust with the old cabinet, it has changed," insists one of them.

However, a drastic reduction in American troops seems highly improbable as the jihadist threat remains present, argue the other countries of the coalition. "Non-Americans in the coalition will only stay in Iraq if the Americans stay," said a diplomat at AFP.

Promise of economic aid

Other parties were not invited but were closely following the dialogue: Iran's allies in Iraq. Ahmed al-Assadi, spokesman for their parliamentary bloc - leader of the expulsion vote - recently reiterated giving the Americans six months to leave.

Again, Monday and Wednesday, two rockets hit US soldiers and diplomats in Baghdad as a reminder.

The tone is less aggressive, however. The Hezbollah brigades, the most radical pro-Iran faction, have announced that they will not give their position until Thursday.

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"This withdrawal gives more room for maneuver to Mustafa al-Kazimi and the Americans," said Robert Ford of the Middle East Institute think tank. Especially since the Iraqi government "is committed to protecting the military personnel of the international coalition", according to the joint declaration.

In return, Washington promised to promote economic aid to Baghdad. "We will support the new government through international financial institutions to help it deal with the challenges of the Covid-19 and the drop in oil revenues," said Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East David Schenker. to journalists.

"US-Iraqi relations will not be redefined overnight," said Robert Ford. But "for once", there were "the right people, in the right place and at the right time", continues this ex-American diplomat.

With AFP

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