Iraq to resume talks on future of US military presence in country

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Feb 2024 22:31

Commander of the Combined Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, Major Gen. JB Vowell, likewise confirmed that talks to discuss the withdrawal of US troops are scheduled to be held on Sunday.

An Iraqi Army helicopter is seen during the Army Day celebrations in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 (AP Photo)

The government of Iraq on Thursday is set to resume discussions on the future of US and coalition forces in the country, which are scheduled to recommence on Sunday, as per a statement issued by the military spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister, General Yehia Rasool.

Iraq also denounced a US airstrike that claimed the life of a senior commander of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi government institution.

Iraqi authorities slammed the strike as a "blatant assassination" in a residential neighborhood of Baghdad.

Later, Rasool declared in a statement that discussions on the "end of the mission" with Washington would go back up on Sunday.

"The international coalition is completely overstepping the reasons and objectives for which it is present on our territory," said Rasool in a statement.

The talks "to discuss and prepare a timeline for the end of the mission for the international coalition" will "resume work on Sunday," the statement read, adding that this process will ultimately result in the "conclusion of the mission."

On a similar note, the Commander of the Combined Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, Major Gen. JB Vowell, likewise confirmed that talks are scheduled to be held on Sunday to discuss the withdrawal of US troops.

"Combined Joint Task Force – operation Inherent Resolve will resume the Higher Military Commission Working Groups with the Iraqi Armed forces in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Feb.11.

We look forward to continuing military-to-military conversations with our partners on Sunday afternoon as we assess our progress in our shared mission to defeat ISIS [Islamic State terror group], as well as discuss the future transition of our mission," Vowell said in a statement via X.

Anti-US sentiment in the region has been on the rise lately, particularly since "Israel" launched a genocidal campaign in Gaza, which has received unconditional support from the US.

As a result of this, resistance groups across the region have been systematically targeting Israeli-affiliated entities, including US occupation bases in Iraq.

Subsequent US retaliation against resistance groups has compromised Iraq's security, thus compelling the Iraqi government to demand their withdrawal.

An initial round of talks commenced on January 27 but was promptly halted after a drone attack claimed the lives of three US military personnel at a base in Jordan the following day. This incident prompted retaliatory strikes from the US.

Last month, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that Washington and Baghdad would initiate working group meetings concerning the future of the US military presence in the country.

The Pentagon later clarified that the establishment of the Commission did not signify the commencement of negotiations between the two countries regarding the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.