US military presence in spotlight after Baghdad meeting

The US military has no orders to withdraw from Iraq, officials say, following meeting of White House Middle East Coordinator with Iraqi Prime Minister.
Brett McGurk and Mustafa al-Kadhimi
Brett McGurk (L), the White House’s coordinator for Middle East policy, met in Baghdad on July 15, 2021, with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi (R). Here, McGurk is seen addressing the International Institute for Strategic Studies Manama Dialogue in the Bahraini capital, Manama, on Oct. 27, 2018, while Kadhimi is seen at 10 Downing Street in London, where he met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Oct. 22, 2020. - AFP via Getty Images (L) / Henry Nicholls - WPA Pool/Getty Images (R)
Jared Szuba headshot (new)
Jared Szuba
@JM_Szuba

There was some confusion Thursday about possible plans by the US-led military coalition against the Islamic State to withdraw more forces from Iraq.

Brett McGurk, the White House’s coordinator for Middle East policy, met Thursday with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who heads to Washington later this month. Kadhimi’s office said in a statement that they discussed “mechanisms for withdrawing combat forces from Iraq and moving to a new phase of strategic cooperation” between their countries.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more