US combat troops stationed in Iraq are scheduled to leave the country in 15 days, the Iraqi army's spokesman said on Thursday.
Baghdad and Washington announced in July that the full withdrawal of American combat troops from Iraq would be completed by the end of this year. Training and advising missions, however, would continue.
There are currently 2,500 US troops in Iraq helping local forces counter what remains of ISIS, with the vast majority of US forces helping to train Iraqi forces.
Iraqi Maj Gen Tahsin Al Khafaji, spokesman for the Joint Operations Command, told the state Iraqi news agency that “foreign forces are expected to leave Iraq within 15 days, except for those whose mission has turned to advise and support the Iraqi security forces.”
“Most of the combat forces have left Iraq, and only advisers and those working in the field of intelligence, training and advice remain,” he said.
Gen Al Khafaji said the US and Iraq are abiding by the deal made.
“Talks about extending the date for the withdrawal of American forces are inaccurate and incorrect, and the date for the departure of combat forces … is fixed and there is no change in it,” he said.
“The relationship between the two parties after the departure of the combat forces will be an advisory relationship in the fields of training, armament, intelligence and security information against the terrorist organisation ISIS,” he added.
Since 2014, the US has led an international coalition in Iraq to fight ISIS.
The Iraqi military official said there will be a schedule made for delivering weapons and equipment to the combat forces.
In an interview with The National last week, Iraq’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein said his country’s security forces were ready to fight ISIS alone.
“The American presence in Iraq is very small, in fact the existence of American combat forces will not affect the whole security situation,” he said.
“This means that the fight against ISIS can be done also by Iraqi forces themselves,” the Iraqi minister said.
However, Mr Hussein said that Baghdad will still need some support.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
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- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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