The United States is set to announce the transition of the military’s anti-ISIS mission in Iraq to a bilateral defense partnership between the two countries. This announcement comes after 10 years of the U.S. establishment of the multi-national Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and its military component, Combined Joint Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve. Talks about transitioning the military mission to a bilateral defense partnership began in April between the U.S. and Iraq, and specific details are still evolving. However, there is a broad consensus among coalition members that the coalition will continue its work well into the future.
The transition to a bilateral partnership is seen as a way to deepen and enhance the coalition and cooperation between member countries, as well as to strengthen the U.S.’ relationship with Iraq. The U.S. remains committed to defeating ISIS, regardless of the shape the future bilateral agreement takes or whether other coalition countries move on from Iraq after 10 years. The success in territorially defeating ISIS in core regions of Iraq and Syria has been acknowledged, but the threat from ISIS remains present, requiring ongoing efforts to combat the group.
The Pentagon recently announced a raid in Syria that killed four ISIS operatives, aimed at disrupting and degrading the terrorist organization’s ability to organize and conduct attacks. The U.S. intends to continue prosecuting the mission against ISIS over the coming years. As the announcement of the transition of the coalition’s military mission in Iraq approaches, discussions between the U.S. and Iraq regarding the nature of the bilateral security partnership are expected to deepen. The Iraqis have expressed commitment to shaping a strong bilateral security agreement with the U.S. to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.
The ongoing conversation between the U.S. and Iraq involves discussions on the types of trainings, presence, and support for Iraq’s capabilities that will be provided in the bilateral security partnership. This iterative dialogue is expected to continue beyond the announcement that is planned for the end of next week. The U.S. is at the core of the coalition’s efforts against ISIS and is dedicated to working with Iraq to combat the terrorist group. The transition to a bilateral defense partnership signifies a new phase in the coalition’s mission in Iraq, with a focus on continued cooperation and support for Iraq’s security capabilities.
