US, Iraq to discuss timeline to reduce coalition troops: Baghdad
- Announcement comes as US forces have struck Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria in response to attacks on bases hosting US troops in both countries
- US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed meetings ‘in the coming days’ to discuss the ‘transition’ of the coalition
The two countries agreed to form working groups that would eventually lead to formulating “a specific and clear timeline ... and to begin the gradual reduction of its [the coalition’s] advisers on Iraqi soil”, Iraq’s foreign ministry said.
The ministry said the timeline would be contingent on evaluating the “threat posed by IS and its danger” as well as the “reinforcement of the capacities of the Iraqi security forces”.
In a statement, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed meetings “in the coming days” to discuss the “transition” of the coalition based on the outcomes of the Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue held between the two countries in August.
The meetings would “determine how the Coalition’s military mission will evolve on a timeline” based on factors including the threat posed by Islamic State, “operational and environmental requirements” and the capability levels of Iraq’s security forces, the statement said.
