“We’re not going to be by the end of the year in a combat mission,” said Biden,who noted US forces will remain in the country to train and assist Iraqi forces as needed.
“Our shared fight against ISIS is critical for the stability of the region and our counterterrorism cooperation will continue even as we shift to this new phase that we’re going to be talking about,” Biden added.
The US troop presence has stood at about 2500 since late last yearwhen then-President Donald Trump ordered a reduction from 3000. Biden not say how many US troops would remain in Iraq when the combat mission is formally completed. The troop reduction may not be substantial because of the continuing advisory and training mission.
The plan to end the US combat mission in Iraq followsBiden’s decision to withdraw fully from Afghanistan nearly 20 years after President George W. Bush launched that war in response to the September 11,2001,terrorist attacks. Less than two years later,Bush started the war in Iraq.
Biden has vowed to continue counterterrorism efforts in the Middle East but shift more attention to China as a long-term security challenge.
The senior administration official said Iraqi security forces are “battle tested” and have proved themselves “capable” of protecting their country. Still,the Biden administration recognises that IS remains a considerable threat,the official said.