The White House confirmed on Monday that American combat forces are no longer present in Iraq.
“The Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Middle East and North African Affairs Brett McGurk concluded a two-day visit to Iraq, where he consulted with a group of political and security leaders as they met in Baghdad with President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi in Erbil, with the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani,” the White House in a statement, according to Iraqi media reports.
While talking about President Joe Biden’s commitment to the results of the strategic dialogue with the government of Iraq, he confirmed that there are no longer American forces serving in a combat role in Iraq, the reports said.
He noted that “this transition has become possible, due to the tremendous progress achieved by the Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga in leading the fight against Daesh terrorist gangs.”
“The remaining coalition forces in Iraq will be present at the invitation of the government only to provide advice, assistance and empowering the Iraqi security forces to ensure that Daesh does not re-emerge,” McGurk was quoted as saying.
Last Thursday, National Security Adviser Qassim al-Araji announced the end of the combat missions of the coalition forces and their withdrawal from Iraq.
“The last round of dialogue with the international coalition, which began last year, has ended and resulted in the end of the combat missions of the coalition forces and their official withdrawal from Iraq,” said Al-Araji.
He added, “The relationship with the international coalition will continue in the field of training, advice and empowerment, said sources.