Iraq’s security partnership with the United States is entering a new phase. On Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad confirmed that the military coalition’s mission is ending. This shift follows Iraq’s announcement of a two-year plan for coalition withdrawal.
According to the embassy, the international coalition will become a bilateral security partnership. This move ends the structure formed in 2014 to fight ISIS. However, the U.S. clarified that global efforts against ISIS will continue through civilian-led initiatives.
Details about military plans remain under the Ministry of Defense. The embassy emphasized that the new partnership will focus on long-term cooperation. Iraq and the U.S. will now coordinate through direct agreements instead of a multinational framework.
Iraq’s security partnership with the United States was also the focus of a recent high-level meeting. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Stephen Fagin to discuss bilateral ties. They also addressed oil company disputes in the Kurdistan Region and regional stability.
On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s advisor, Hussein Allawi, laid out the full withdrawal timeline. According to Allawi, by September 2025, U.S. forces will leave their headquarters in Baghdad and the Ain al-Asad airbase. Then, the final phase of the withdrawal is expected to conclude by September 2026.
Meanwhile, Allawi explained that Iraq plans to strengthen its own military during this transition. In addition, the government intends to replace the international coalition with direct bilateral defense agreements. These new arrangements will also include economic, political, and cultural cooperation with international partners.
Furthermore, he emphasized that Iraq’s security partnership with the United States marks a return to the state-to-state agreements that existed before 2014. Such partnerships, he added, will allow Iraq to regain full control over its defense strategy.
Originally, the international coalition was formed in 2014 after ISIS captured Mosul and other major cities. During that time, coalition support played a vital role in Iraq’s fight to reclaim its territory. Notably, U.S. forces provided critical airpower, logistical support, and training to Iraqi and Kurdish troops. Even after Iraq declared victory over ISIS in 2017, U.S. troops remained to advise and support local forces.
Still, pressure grew for their full withdrawal. Pro-Iran groups pushed hard after deadly U.S. drone strikes in early 2024. These strikes killed top PMF commanders, fueling anti-American sentiment.
Many political factions claimed foreign troops violated Iraq’s sovereignty. However, others argued that coalition support still helped Iraq fight ISIS cells.
Debates in parliament revealed a divided view. In the end, the agreed transition struck a balance. Iraq will assert control, while maintaining vital security ties.
This moment marks the end of a historic chapter. But Iraq’s security partnership with the United States is far from over. It now enters a new phase—one built on diplomacy, not deployment.
