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Al-Kadhimi stated that any withdrawal plan would be determined by the needs of Iraqi forces. They have proven themselves capable of carrying out independent anti-IS operations in the past year.He stated that the war against IS and readiness of our forces require a specific timetable. This depends on the Washington negotiations.Although the U.S. and Iraq had agreed that the U.S. would transition to a train–and-advise mission in April, they did not agree on a timeline for that transition. The White House meeting on Monday saw the leaders agree to a timetable, perhaps by the end this year.Since late last year, when President Donald Trump directed a reduction of 3,000 troops to be sent out, the U.S. troop presence is now at around 2,500.The U.S. mission to train and advise Iraqi forces is a result of former President Barack Obama's 2014 decision to send troops back home to Iraq. This was in response to the Islamic State group's takeover of large parts of northern and western Iraq, and the collapse of Iraqi security force that threatened Baghdad. Eight years after the U.S. invasion, Obama had completely withdrawn U.S. troops from Iraq.Al-Kadhimi stated that what we expect from the U.S. is to help our forces train and develop their efficiency and capabilities as well as security cooperation.Washington's trip is coming as the premiers government has been facing setback after setback, seriously undermining public trust. The state's ability to stop ongoing missile attacks by militia groups has been highlighted. A series of horrific hospital fires and coronavirus cases have also led to many deaths.In the meantime, federal elections are still three months away, as per a promise al Kadhimi made when taking office.The future of the American-led coalition forces fighting in Iraq is however the main topic on Washington's agenda.After a bloody and disastrous war, Iraq declared victory over IS in 2017. Since the U.S.-directed drone strikes that killed Qassim Soleimani, a powerful Iranian general, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander of Iraqi militias on Iraqi soil last January, the continued presence American troops has been a controversial issue in Iraq's political class.The U.S. has held at least three rounds strategic talks with Iraq to address the danger of widespread instability after the targeted killings. They also agreed to set a withdrawal timeline and discuss Iraq's military requirements in the ongoing war against IS.Four years after their territorial defeat, IS militants still have the ability to attack the capital and wander the country's northern regions. A suicide bomber attacked a busy Baghdad market killing 30 people. IS later claimed the attack.Al-Kadhimi was subject to significant pressure from mostly Shiite political parties to reveal a timeline for the U.S. troop withdraw. The government has been under pressure from the drone and rocket attacks on American military personnel, as well as ongoing missile attacks. These attacks are believed to have been carried out by Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq.Announcing that combat troops will be withdrawing might help to placate Shiite groups, but it will not have any impact on the ground. According to Foreign Minister Fuad Hassein, the coalition's combat mission was effectively ended in November when the Pentagon cut the number of American troops in the country from 2,500 to 2,500. Shiite parties said that they are open to the possibility of advisors and trainers remaining as part of the coalition.U.S. officials and representatives of the coalition have stated that U.S. troops no longer accompany Iraqi forces on ground operations and that U.S. assistance is limited to intelligence gathering, surveillance and deployment of advanced military technology. Officials from the Iraqi military have stated that they will continue to need this support.The Iraqi military has several American weapons that require maintenance and training. Al-Kadhimi stated that we will continue to ask the American side for support and development of our capabilities.
