The United States will reduce its military presence in Iraq against the jihadist Islamic State (IS) group "in the coming months", the American and Iraqi governments announced Thursday in a joint statement following their "strategic dialogue" . "The two countries have taken note of the fact that, in the light of the significant progress made towards the eradication of the threat of IS, in the coming months the United States will continue to reduce its forces in Iraq," they said. stated, without providing precise figures or timetable.
No precise figures or timetable
Washington will also "discuss with the Iraqi government the status of the remaining forces," they added. "The United States has reiterated that it is not seeking or requesting permanent bases or a permanent military presence in Iraq," said the joint statement. "The Iraqi government is committed to protecting the military personnel of the international coalition" against IS "and the Iraqi installations that host it, in accordance with international law."
Months of tension between the two countries
This dialogue was aimed at resuming language for the two allied countries after months of tensions, marked by thirty rocket attacks against American interests, attributed by Washington to pro-Iran forces.
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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.