US Withdrawal Date From Iraq Postponed

On August 15 the Sudani government announced that a date for an American withdrawal from Iraq would not be made because of recent attacks by pro-Iran groups. This was a convenient excuse to delay talks which the administration has not been enthusiastic about.

 

An advisor to Prime Minister Mohammed Sudani told the media that the two rocket attacks upon the Ain Al-Assad airbase in Anbar at the start of August froze U.S.-Iraq talks. He said they would not resume until the security situation was stabilized.

 

When that will happen is unknown as the Iraqi Islamic Resistance continues to threaten the Americans. On August 20 for instance the head of the Al-Najaba movement said that the truce with the U.S. negotiated by Iran and Baghdad was finished. The next day a front group for these factions said that as soon as the Arbaeen pilgrimage was over the Americans would be attacked. Earlier on August 12 the Resistance Coordination Committee threatened new assaults upon U.S. forces if Iran or Iraq was targeted.

 

At the start of August it was reported that Iraq wanted U.S. troops out of the country by September 2025. That is far too long for Iran’s allies however.

 

Ironically it doesn’t seem like Tehran is looking for a large escalation. It wants an American withdrawal but it does not want weekly attacks which were happening before. That’s because it worries about American retaliation and it is also caught up in the Gaza War with Israel. Some of its Iraqi friends are impatient and want the U.S. to leave now rather than later. The Sudani government is stuck in between these forces.

 

The recent attacks in Anbar now allows the government to blame the Resistance for negotiations not moving faster to their liking.

 

SOURCES

 

Al Arabiya, “Iraq demands complete US troop withdrawal by next year: Sources,” 7/23/24

 

Bas News, “Iraqi Militia Group Warns of Renewed Attacks on US Forces,” 8/21/24

 

Reuters, “Iraq says announcement on date for end to US-led coalition mission postponed,” 8/15/24

 

Shafaq News, “Al-Nujaba: The truce has ended and the option of striking American bases in Iraq is now available,” 8/20/24

 

Al Sumaria, “We were very close to ending the existence of the Coalition .. Government advisor, Two missiles froze the dialogue,” 8/18/24

 

Xinhua, “Iraqi Shiite militias warn of “unlimited” retaliation if U.S. attacks Iraq or Iran,” 8/12/24