The End of an Era: US-Iraq Agreement to Conclude Anti-Jihadist Coalition Mission by 2025
In an anticipated move, Washington and Baghdad have announced the termination of the international coalition’s military mission against the Islamic State jihadist group in Iraq within a year. The coalition, established in 2014, aimed to assist local forces in reclaiming areas seized by jihadists in Iraq and Syria.
The joint US-Iraqi statement revealed the mission’s conclusion no later than September 2025, with a transition plan underway in two phases. The first phase, until September next year, involves withdrawing coalition forces from specific locations in Iraq. Meanwhile, the coalition will persist in military operations in Syria during the second phase until September 2026.
Notably, the details on the future deployment of US troops in Iraq, currently at 2,500 personnel, remain undisclosed. The dialogue between Washington and Baghdad continues to shape bilateral security relations, with both nations actively involved in establishing a revised partnership framework.
Although challenged by regional conflicts and armed group attacks, the coalition’s efforts have significantly weakened jihadist influence in Iraq and Syria. As the coalition nears its termination, the focus shifts towards sustaining stability in the region post-mission.