Pentagon to cut US troops in Iraq to 3,000 from 5,200 this month
The Pentagon will slash the level of US troops in Iraq to 3,000 this month, a senior general said on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump seeks to honor a pledge to withdraw from foreign conflicts.
General Kenneth McKenzie, the head of the US military’s Central Command, said in Baghdad that the decision was “due to our confidence in the Iraqi Security Forces’ increased ability to operate independently.”
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app
“In consultation and coordination with the Government of Iraq and our coalition partners, the United States has decided to reduce our troop presence in Iraq from about 5,200 to 3,000 troops during the month of September,” he said.
McKenzie said the US would be able to continue supporting the Iraqi military in its fight against the ISIS group, which was driven out of its “caliphate” territory last year but remains scattered around Iraq.
Read more:
US-led coalition hands over Taji military base to Iraqi forces: State media
Iraq, US companies sign deals worth more than $8 billion before Kadhimi-Trump meeting
US announces new aid to Iraq, but warns that ‘armed groups’ must be controlled
He said the US was committed to its “ultimate goal” of an Iraq where local forces alone can prevent the ISIS from returning and secure “Iraq’s sovereignty without external assistance.”
“The journey has been difficult, the sacrifice has been great, but the progress has been significant,” the general said.
By late 2018, there were an estimated 5,200 American troops still stationed in Iraq, making up the bulk of the 7,500 coalition forces there, according to US officials.

Over the past year, dozens of rocket attacks have targeted those forces, the US embassy and logistics convoys heading to Iraqi bases, killing at least six military personnel -- three Americans, one Briton and two Iraqis.
US officials have blamed the violence on hardline factions close to Tehran, which as Washington’s longtime foe has repeatedly demanded US troops leave the Middle East.
Trump is also set to announce further troop withdrawals from Afghanistan in the coming days, a senior administration official said.
Washington currently has 8,600 soldiers deployed in Afghanistan in accordance with a bilateral agreement signed in February between Washington and the Taliban.
Trump, who is trailing Democratic rival Joe Biden in the polls ahead of the November 3 presidential election, has promised to bring troops home in a bid to wrap up what he has called America’s endless wars.
-
Iraq is presented with golden opportunity to strengthen US, Gulf ties, shake off Iran
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s visit to Washington, DC, where he met US President Donald Trump last month represents a phase of recovery in ... Middle East -
US expected to reduce troops in Iraq by a third to about 3,500: Official
The United States is expected to reduce its troops' presence in Iraq by about a third in the coming months, a US official said on Friday, a move that ... Middle East -
US-led coalition hands over Taji military base to Iraqi forces: State media
US-led international coalition in Iraq hands over Taji military base to Iraqi forces, Iraqi News Agency reported on Sunday, citing Iraq's joint ... Middle East -
US ‘outraged’ by assassinations of Iraqi activists
The United States said Thursday that it was “outraged by the targeted assassinations” of activists and attacks on protesters in Iraq, one day after ... Middle East -
US condemns attacks on Iraqi activists, supports Iraqi govt. commitment to justice
The United States condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the recent attacks of Iraqi civil society activists and protesters in Basrah, including ... Middle East -
Iraq PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi says Turkish interference is unacceptable
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said Thursday that Turkey’s interference in Iraq was unacceptable, ahead of a meeting with US President Donald ... Home Page -
Iraq, US companies sign deals worth more than $8 billion before Kadhimi-Trump meeting
An Iraqi prime minister will visit the White House Thursday for the first time in three years as ties have warmed between Washington and Baghdad since ... Middle East -
US announces new aid to Iraq, but warns that ‘armed groups’ must be controlled
The United States Wednesday announced more than $200 million in additional humanitarian aid to Iraq but called for “armed groups” to be replaced by ... Home Page