The International Coalition to extend its presence in Syria until 2026

The United States announced the timetable for ending the military mission of the international coalition in Iraq and Syria, according to a joint statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) on September 27.

The statement explained that after consultations with the leadership of the international coalition and its member states, and intensive meetings within the Iraqi-American Supreme Military Committee over the past nine months, it was decided to end the coalition mission in Iraq within 12 months.

After the coalition withdraws from Iraq, relations will transform into a bilateral security partnership aimed at supporting Iraqi forces and continuing to pressure ISIS organization in Iraq.

As for Syria, the coalition mission in the northeast of the country will continue until September 2026, based on the recommendations of the Supreme Military Committee to prevent the return of the threat of the organization.

The statement stated that the Supreme Military Committee will undertake the necessary procedures to implement these plans, including securing and protecting coalition advisors in Iraq during the transitional period.

According to the Iraqi News Agency, practical steps have already begun to implement these commitments.

Although the United States hasn’t issued an official statement on this issue, the Deputy Press Secretary of the US Department of Defense confirmed that the coalition mission will turn into a bilateral security partnership with the Iraqi government, noting that the presence of US forces in Iraq will change, but didn’t specify the number of soldiers who may withdraw.

The United States also confirmed its continued support for the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Autonomous Administration in northeastern Syria, where the latter controls large areas east of the Euphrates River, including the provinces of Raqqa and Hasakah and parts of Deir Ezzor.

On September 17, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that there are ongoing discussions with the Iraqi government about ending the coalition forces’ mission, but the final decision depends on evaluating a number of factors to determine the timing and mechanism for ending the mission.

The US military presence in Syria is linked to the US deployment in Iraq, which constitutes a logistical supply line for these forces.

A report by the Washington Post stated that the military presence in Iraqi Kurdistan, especially at a base near the capital, Erbil, plays a major role in supporting US military operations in Syria.