US Forces Reposition from Baghdad Bases Amid Iraq Transition Plan Ending September 2025
Sites prepared for handover are proceeding according to the established schedule, with movements shifting from Union III in Baghdad and Ayn al-Asad to areas in Kurdistan.
MIDDLE EAST — The United States has initiated the repositioning of troops from the Ain al-Asad base in Anbar province and the Victory base near Baghdad International Airport, with forces relocating to Erbil in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
This move aligns with the phased transition outlined in the US-Iraq agreement, which will conclude the coalition mission in Iraq by September 2025.
Bilateral security arrangements will take their place, ensuring continued pressure on ISIS while counter-ISIS operations in Syria persist from Iraqi bases until at least September 2026, depending on ground conditions and ongoing discussions.
The coalition commemorates ten years since its formation, following the territorial defeats of ISIS in Iraq in 2017 and Syria in 2019.
Sites prepared for handover are proceeding according to the established schedule, with movements shifting from Union III in Baghdad and Ayn al-Asad to areas in Kurdistan. Advising activities will continue at selected locations, including Erbil Air Base, while coalition personnel receive protection under Iraqi regulations throughout the transition.
Iraq acknowledges the coalition's assistance in achieving ISIS's territorial defeat, which was led by the US, and recognizes the roles played by Iraqi units in opposing the group. Ongoing initiatives aim to prevent any resurgence of ISIS, supported by the Strategic Framework Agreement that fosters enduring connections between the nations.
These force adjustments are consistent with the joint declaration, which upholds the pledge to wrap up coalition duties by September 2025. Efforts to defeat ISIS in Syria will receive backing from Iraqi sites through September 2026, framing the adjustment as a transition rather than a complete departure.
Actions against ISIS remain active in both Iraq and Syria, with US participation ongoing. For instance, CENTCOM and Iraqi units conducted targeted operations in the Hamrin mountains from December 30 to January 6, addressing ISIS movements and maintaining a steady operational tempo as reflected in quarterly records.
Several key ISIS figures were eliminated during these initiatives, while strategies continue to block Syria from serving as a hub for ISIS and associated risks.
Acronym Index
ISIS: Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
HMC: Higher Military Commission
D-ISIS: Defeat ISIS
CENTCOM: United States Central Command
CJTF-OIR: Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve
CTS: Counter-Terrorism Service
Transition Plan Details:
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