Senate bill threatens funds for US-Iraq military coordination amid troop drawdown
A new measure could sharply limit funding for key US diplomatic office that manages the flow of Washington’s support for the Iraqi Armed Forces if Baghdad does not crack down on Iran-aligned militias.
WASHINGTON — As most remaining American troops depart bases in Iraq’s federal regions ahead of a deadline set by Baghdad this month, an amendment to the Senate’s version of next year’s defense spending bill could restrict Washington’s ability to further underwrite the country’s security forces.
The measure — if included in the final 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — would enable Congress to withhold up to half of the funding allocated for the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq (OSC-I) until the Pentagon certifies that the Iraqi government “has taken credible steps” to weaken “the operational capacity” of Iran-aligned militias in the country.
The measure would also require the US defense secretary to certify to lawmakers that Iraq’s government has strengthened the prime minister’s authority over the militias and has held accountable individuals behind attacks on US or Iraqi personnel.
A spokesperson for the US Defense Department cited longstanding policy in declining to comment on pending legislation.
