After the Sudanese statement that they would leave “quickly”... Will American forces withdraw from Iraq?
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] |Today,
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] |Today,
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
+A
-A
Baghdad today - Baghdad
A “rapid and orderly exit” of the international coalition forces led by the United States from Iraq, this is what Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani recently demanded, amid escalating tensions between those forces and armed Iraqi factions, which raised fears of expanding the scope of the conflict in the Middle East and destabilizing Iraq. .
While voices have been rising inside the country for years calling for the withdrawal of these forces following the attack of last October 7 launched by the Hamas movement on Israel, and the subsequent devastating war launched by Israel in the Gaza Strip, which it says aims to eliminate the movement.
Coalition forces have been subjected to dozens of attacks since then, and American forces responded by carrying out raids against Iraqi armed groups.
Al-Sudani said in an interview with Reuters news agency: “Let us agree on a time frame (for withdrawal) that will be quick so that we do not prolong the presence and the attacks continue,” noting that the only way to avoid a regional escalation is to stop the war in Gaza.
What are the reasons for the presence of these forces in Iraq?
After international forces led by the United States invaded Iraq in 2003 and overthrew its then president Saddam Hussein, those forces withdrew from the country in 2011. But in 2014, after what is known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) took control of the city of Mosul, the second largest city Iraq and its declaration of the “Islamic Caliphate” in the areas over which it was able to extend its influence in Iraq and Syria. The Iraqi government officially asked the United States and the United Nations to help it defeat the organization and protect the lands and people of Iraq, which led to the return of American-led coalition forces to the country, and the beginning of what is known as With Operation Inherent Resolve, which aims to help Iraqi forces defeat the organization's forces and regain the lands they controlled.
The goal of the American forces was to train and advise the Iraqi army. The coalition also provided air cover for the Iraqi security forces, armed factions, and Kurdish Peshmerga forces that fought the organization between 2015-2017, until control was restored over the lands it had seized.
Washington maintained about 2,500 soldiers in Iraq, even after ending ISIS’s efforts to establish an Islamic caliphate in 2019. By the end of 2021, American combat operations in Iraq officially ended, and the mission of its forces there became to provide advice and assistance to Iraqi forces to increase their ability to operate independently. As part of its efforts to focus on achieving stability and reconstruction of the areas that were under the control of the organization, while at the same time continuing its raids on small sites where the organization is still holed up in the west of the country and in areas located across the border with the Kurdistan region.
Iraqi opposition and tensions
The presence of American forces in Iraq has long been opposed by many Iraqi factions.
At the beginning of 2020, the Iraqi Parliament ratified a resolution obligating the government to work to end the presence of any foreign forces on Iraqi soil. This came shortly after the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, in an American air strike that targeted his vehicle in the vicinity of Baghdad Airport, and also resulted in the killing of Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, deputy head of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, and others.
Several threats were issued by Iraqi armed factions close to Iran to expel the American forces present on Iraqi soil at the Ain al-Assad and Erbil bases. These two bases were subjected to many attacks by Iraqi militants during the era of former Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, but they calmed down during the era of the current Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, the candidate of the Coordination Movement bloc, who took office in late October 2022.
The Iraqi academic and political analyst, Dr. Alaa Mustafa, says, “Withdrawal was among the conditions set for the government of Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani, and it adopted this issue. In return, the factions granted him a truce that strengthened his position with the American side and made him feel that he held the keys in his hand and controlled those who carried weapons.”
This truce has collapsed since the outbreak of war in Gaza following the October 7 attack.
Since then, American forces in Iraq, the Iraqi Kurdistan region, and Syria have been subjected to more than 100 missile or drone attacks, including a missile attack on the American embassy on December 8.
Washington responded by launching attacks on Iraqi armed factions, including the Popular Mobilization Forces and the Al-Nujaba Movement, which falls under the umbrella of the Mobilization Forces, and whose Secretary-General, Akram Al-Kaabi, is considered one of the most prominent critics of the United States. Al-Kaabi called in the wake of the killing of members of the Popular Mobilization Forces in an American raid last November. To "declare war on America" and remove its forces from Iraq.
What is the Iraqi Al-Nujaba Armed Movement and what is its role?
A day before Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani announced earlier this month the formation of a committee to prepare to end the mission of the US-led international coalition in Iraq, an American raid targeted a prominent leader in the Nujaba Movement, Mushtaq Talib al-Saeedi, nicknamed “Abu Taqwa,” which an official described as An American told CNN that he was a member of an “Iranian proxy group operating in Iraq and Syria,” in reference to Harakat al-Nujaba.
Before his latest announcement, Al-Sudani tried to hold the stick in the middle, as his media office stated that he “renewed to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken Iraq’s position of rejecting any aggression against Iraqi lands,” but he “at the same time renewed the Iraqi government’s commitment to protecting the international coalition’s advisors present in Iraq.” ".
Alaa Mustafa says that the Iraqi government “was trying to take control of matters, and its speeches had a severe impact on the factions, as some statements described the targeting of the American embassy as a terrorist act, and we did not see this speech even during the era of the government of Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, who was not close to the factions, unlike "Sudanese Shi'ism, which is one of the outcomes of the coordination framework that includes political forces and factions."
He adds, “The intelligence operation, and I stress that it was an intelligence operation that had nothing to do with the coalition forces, but was carried out purely by America, and it is similar to the airport operation (during which Qassem Soleimani was killed), which targeted the leadership of the Nujaba movement, severely embarrassed the government and it was no longer able to demand a renewal of the truce. So, We have no choice now but to conduct negotiations that end with the departure of the coalition forces.”
The presence of forces between American and Iraqi interests
Among the most prominent American interests in keeping its forces in Iraq, according to an article by David Bullock, a fellow at the Bernstein Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy published on the center’s website, are maintaining friendly relations with Iraq, countering Iranian influence, and preventing Iran from “exploiting Iraqi oil.” . Bullock adds that the withdrawal of American forces “creates additional threats to Israel’s security,” and that “all Gulf Cooperation Council countries see American forces in Iraq as a basis for the American military units they host on their soil, and a vital factor in their self-defense against Iran.”
Professor Steve Simon, professor of Middle Eastern studies at the University of Washington and former director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the US National Security Council during the era of President Obama, believes that there are a large number of Iraqi sectors that benefit from the American military presence.
Professor Simon added in statements to the BBC, “There is a material benefit as the United States obtains raw materials from Iraq, and there is a strategic benefit because the American presence prevents the return of ISIS again and achieves a balance with Iran. Many Iraqis do not want to submit to American hegemony, But at the same time, they do not want to submit to Iranian hegemony. The Iraqi army receives high-quality training and equipment from the American side, and therefore it is preferable for the United States to remain. The Iraqi Kurds also see that the American presence protects them from Turkey, Iran, and Baghdad, and they also benefit from the aspect Finance from the American presence.
Regarding whether the withdrawal of American forces is in Iraq’s interest, Dr. Alaa Mustafa says, “From a military standpoint, it is the leadership of the armed forces that decide whether we need it or not, and when they say their frank words, the Iraqi government will abide.”
But at the same time, he warns of the importance of arranging the withdrawal amicably with the American side through negotiation, “so that Iraq is not faced with a package of economic sanctions as a result of its dealings with some countries subject to American sanctions. Also, if the arrival of packages of dollars to Iraq is obstructed, this may cause problems.” "Economic."
It is noteworthy that the United States has excluded Iraq from the sanctions it imposes on Tehran, allowing it to purchase electricity from Iran.
Professor Simon says that the United States will not impose sanctions on Iraq, but “there is a feeling, especially among the resistance factions, that this may happen if the Iraqi forces are forced to leave...the mere presence of this feeling among some Iraqis is sufficient in itself to accept the presence of American forces inside.” Iraq".
Dr. Alaa stresses the importance of the Iraqi negotiator’s focus on resolving all issues, “meaning that if the forces withdraw without addressing the terrorist incubators, especially the Al-Hawl camp [in Syria], which may explode at any moment... it is not easy to be satisfied with the presence of an explosive device behind Your wall, not to mention the presence of irregular forces on the Syrian side of the border, all of this poses a threat to Iraq’s security.”
While Professor Simon believes that there is no real pressure on the Iraqi government that would push it to demand that Washington withdraw its forces, Dr. Alaa says that “the approaching American elections will, in my opinion, cause a state of embarrassment to the American government and President Biden if these forces are targeted, resulting in casualties among the ranks of the Iraqi government.” The American side, especially in lives. Therefore, they are aware of the seriousness of the situation and now they have no choice but to engage in negotiations to organize this withdrawal. The technical problem is in the time of withdrawal, how long does it take: a year? Two? Three? But if they refuse or procrastinate, they will be faced with an escalation that may It ultimately leads to an agreement.”
He stresses that the Iraqi negotiator must be able to absorb all the variables, “particularly the main variable, which is the approaching American elections. Secondly, the regional crises and the war between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the conflict between Israel and Gaza.”
The third strategic factor is the Ansar Allah Houthi movement and its ability to obstruct the American trade process in Bab al-Mandab. These things are all pressure cards that can be used to reach an agreement that preserves Iraq’s stability.”
Source: BBC
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Today at 7:30 am by Rocky
» utube 5/4/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar- IQD Update - No Float of Exchange Rate - Budget -2024 - Schedules -
Today at 7:29 am by Rocky
» “Services” asks the Central Bank about billions of foreign banks in Iraq
Today at 7:27 am by Rocky
» Central Bank: Iraqi banks still face challenges in complying with international laws and standards
Today at 7:24 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary bloc: The Central Bank offers hard currency to “mafias” on a golden platter.. The Suda
Today at 7:20 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Central Auction witnesses a rise in foreign remittances to $267 million
Today at 7:19 am by Rocky
» Wednesday.. The session to elect the President of the Iraqi Parliament is heading towards “Al-Issawi
Today at 7:14 am by Rocky
» The Union of Arab Banks proposes 4 “important” points for Iraqi banks to meet compliance standards
Today at 7:12 am by Rocky
» In the document... the Central Bank decides to return the “Al-Mal” Bank to work... in this case
Today at 7:08 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi-American agreements and cooperation were the most prominent topics of Al-Araji and Romanow
Today at 7:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim meets a joint delegation of resolve and sovereignty and renews the call to hold a session t
Today at 7:05 am by Rocky
» Nearly one billion dinars were recovered and 3 million liters of fuel intended for smuggling in Iraq
Today at 7:03 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani and the European Union ambassador discuss issues of economic partnerships, civil aviation,
Today at 6:59 am by Rocky
» More than 950 million dinars... petroleum products announced their recovery
Today at 6:57 am by Rocky
» Forming a committee to follow up on stopping the sale of the dollar to travelers
Today at 6:54 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Justice visits Al-Muthanna Governorate to discuss mechanisms for developing judicial
Today at 6:52 am by Rocky
» Agriculture: Farmers who were affected by the recent rains will be compensated
Today at 6:51 am by Rocky
» Al-Rasheed issues a warning regarding applying for advances and loans
Today at 6:49 am by Rocky
» Al-Rafidain announces the implementation of the comprehensive banking system in its main branch
Today at 5:24 am by Rocky
» Al-Rasheed warns of offices and pages claiming to promote the Salaf
Today at 5:22 am by Rocky
» Adviser to the Prime Minister: There are no conflicts in the route of the Baghdad Metro
Today at 5:19 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: We are keen to develop the work of the TBI Bank and address the problems it faces
Today at 5:18 am by Rocky
» Agriculture explains the mechanism of implementing the calendar program and its economic gains
Today at 5:17 am by Rocky
» “The shocks have changed.” The Governor of the Central Bank explains the impact of the openness of I
Today at 5:16 am by Rocky
» The President of the Association of Private Banks sends an “important” invitation to the Central Ban
Today at 5:15 am by Rocky
» Al-Alaq: The Iraqi banking sector has witnessed significant qualitative developments in response to
Today at 5:12 am by Rocky
» On behalf of Al-Sudani, the Minister of Planning sponsors the signing ceremony of a memorandum of un
Today at 5:11 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Travel Companies Association participates in the Arab Travel Market Exhibition
Today at 5:10 am by Rocky
» The start of the work of the Iraqi-Jordanian Economic Forum
Today at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Integrity Commission at the Arab Anti-Corruption Convention Conference
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Election of the Speaker of Parliament between amendment and disruption
Today at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Plans to increase the real estate bank's capital
Today at 5:03 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank sells more than $276 million in the currency auction
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Advisor to the Prime Minister: We are heading towards a complete transformation of the electronic pa
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Savings and financial inclusion
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Agriculture expects to market 6 million tons of wheat
Today at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani chairs the first meeting of the Supreme Committee for Restructuring the Government Apparat
Today at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives an official invitation to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Confer
Today at 4:55 am by Rocky
» "Baghdad Today" in the southern refineries: The Azmara unit will reduce imported gasoline and hard c
Today at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses the importance of supporting the pillars of food security
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Kurdistan is an important oasis for investment. Security and economic stability eliminates the housi
Today at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Politician: Comparing Al-Halbousi to Al-Maliki is not up for discussion
Today at 4:46 am by Rocky
» The Kurdistan Democratic Party demands international supervision of the region's elections
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani heads to Italy next week on an official visit
Today at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Warnings of challenges delaying budget approval, most notably the deficit
Today at 4:43 am by Rocky
» The Ministry of Oil sets the launch date for the fifth and sixth licensing rounds
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Rafidain Bank announces the implementation of the comprehensive banking system in its main branch
Today at 4:40 am by Rocky
» Central Bank Governor: The banking sector is witnessing major qualitative developments
Today at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Economic: Neighboring countries do not import from Iraq for fear of fraud
Yesterday at 10:43 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank of Iraq sells more than $276 million in currency auction
Yesterday at 9:16 am by Rocky
» Agreement on the presidency of Parliament: Did Al-Halbousi win?
Yesterday at 7:09 am by Rocky
» Because of his corruption... Al-Karawi calls for Al-Halbousi to be held accountable
Yesterday at 7:08 am by Rocky
» Al-Shammari: The American presence in Iraq has no legal cover
Yesterday at 7:06 am by Rocky
» A story titled: Al-Fartusi, the Iraqi ports, and the 160 Committee
Yesterday at 7:04 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Finance of the Kurdistan Region expects the date of Baghdad’s sending of salaries fo
Yesterday at 7:03 am by Rocky
» What is the importance of conducting a pilot population census in Iraq?
Yesterday at 7:01 am by Rocky
» The start of the meetings of the sixth session of the joint Iraqi-Iranian committee in Tehran
Yesterday at 6:58 am by Rocky
» The budget schedules did not reach the Council of Ministers
Yesterday at 6:54 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Planning directs the installation and operation of gold screening units at Iraqi air
Yesterday at 6:52 am by Rocky
» Government advisor: Collections will shift almost completely to electronic payment in the middle of
Yesterday at 6:51 am by Rocky
» A politician accuses the American embassy of attracting parties inside Iraq to confuse the situation
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Deputy: The anti-prostitution law blocks the way for destructive ideas
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» State of Law: A political agreement to resolve the position of Speaker of Parliament...these are its
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Kurdistan Parliament elections.. The insistence of the two parties intensifies and an international
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Jordan considers Iraq one of its "most important" main partners in the investment field
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Advisor to the Prime Minister: Iraq is a fertile environment for projects, and there is an expansion
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Parliament is close to approving the renewable energy project law
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» The delay surrounds five Iraqi ministries.. What is the relationship with the budget?
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Basra Council threatens: We will not accept unreliable companies to work in Qurna service projects
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Iraq intends to convert collections to electronic payment in mid-2024
Yesterday at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee: 5 ministries whose completion rates are “low”
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Completion of the five-year national development plan 2024-2028
Yesterday at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Investment opportunities in the ancient city of Ur
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Today.. Baghdad hosts leading scientists and researchers in the field of artificial intelligence
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Conditions and horrors
Yesterday at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Democratic conditions threaten Kurdistan elections and embarrass the Commission
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» “Consensus” disrupts laws in parliamentary culture
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Iraq celebrates “World Press Freedom Day”
Yesterday at 4:43 am by Rocky
» Including Iraq... five countries possess more than 1,000 tons of gold
Yesterday at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Davos is between two stations, is Iraq the third?
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» Specialists: The food basket was a buffer to mitigate the blow of high prices
Yesterday at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Al-Rafidain Bank announces the implementation of the comprehensive banking system in its Hindi branc
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Learn about the proposed law replacing punishment with financial sums
Yesterday at 4:33 am by Rocky
» With the beginning of summer... poor services and a spiral of crises afflict the citizens of Kurdist
Yesterday at 4:30 am by Rocky
» A new scandal involving one of the “ten promising companies in Basra”... the Iraqi Plain strikes con
Yesterday at 4:29 am by Rocky
» With a package of files... Barzani to Tehran and Talabani to Washington next week
Yesterday at 4:28 am by Rocky
» An expert reveals the size of the "gas gap" in Iraq: Achieving sufficiency within 3 years is very di
Yesterday at 4:25 am by Rocky
» To reach an agreement on 10 memorandums...the start of the meetings of the sixth session of the Iraq
Yesterday at 4:24 am by Rocky
» The dollar is declining slightly against the Iraqi dinar in local markets
Yesterday at 4:22 am by Rocky
» Deputy: 4 factors hinder Iraqi development.. one of them is a 90% reduction - urgent
Yesterday at 4:21 am by Rocky
» Revealing the reason for its delay.. Elekti sets the date for sending the salaries of Kurdistan Regi
Yesterday at 4:19 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi development road project, ambitions and expected challenges
Yesterday at 4:18 am by Rocky
» Laws were enacted but did not find their way into implementation
Yesterday at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Iraq: Political withdrawals hamper the work of Parliament
Yesterday at 4:14 am by Rocky
» The continued fluctuation of the dollar exchange rates worries traders and citizens
Yesterday at 4:13 am by Rocky
» Vice: Nour Zuhair and his companions manage Iraqi ports
Yesterday at 4:10 am by Rocky
» The President of the Kurdistan Region visits Tehran today and meets with senior Iranian officials
Yesterday at 4:08 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki confirms Iraq's openness to all countries of the world
Yesterday at 4:07 am by Rocky
» The World Bank is preparing to issue a human capital report in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:06 am by Rocky