Austin reaffirms U.S. intent to complete combat mission in Iraq in 2021

"The United States will fulfill its commitments in July 2021, including the commitment that by the end of the year there will be no American forces in Iraq carrying out combat missions," the US Department of Defense said in a statement on its website.

Austin also noted that US forces remain in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government to support the country's security forces.

In July, it became known that the United States would stop participating in military operations in Iraq by the end of 2021.

Later, the Kremlin commented on the US decision to end the combat mission in Iraq.

Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov said that the situation "deserves increased attention."