The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States and Iraq.
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Iraq and the United States of America are connected by a strategic relationship, and as a result of consultations and discussions with the leadership of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and its friendly member states, intensive discussions within the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission, which worked diligently and professionally in intensive meetings over the past nine months, and after studying and evaluating the military and security situation in Iraq and the region, announce the following:
First: Concluding the Coalition's military mission in Iraq over the next twelve months, and no later than the end of September 2025, and transitioning to bilateral security partnerships in a manner that supports Iraqi forces and maintains pressure on ISIS.
Second: As Iraq is a key member of the Coalition, and to prevent the return of the ISIS terrorist threat from northeast Syria, and subject to conditions on the ground and consultations among Iraq, the United States, and the members of the Coalition, the military mission of the Coalition operating in Syria from a platform determined in the HMC will continue until September 2026.
Third: The Higher Military Commission commits to formulate the procedures necessary to achieve what is stated in the paragraphs above, the timing, and mechanisms to implement them, including procedures to ensure the physical protection of Coalition advisors present in Iraq during the transitional period, consistent with the Iraqi constitution and laws. Practical steps to implement these commitments have started.
Iraq thanks the Coalition for the backing and support provided to the Iraqi security forces to confront this common threat and secure ISIS's territorial defeat in Iraq. At the forefront of these countries has been the United States of America, which stood with Iraq in difficult circumstances. The Coalition appreciates the role of Iraq and the great sacrifices of all Iraqi security forces in fighting this terrorist organization that posed a threat to the entire world. We stress the need to continue all efforts to ensure that the threat from this terrorist organization does not return in any way.
We look forward to strengthening relations between Iraq and the United States, in which both nations seek to advance security assistance and cooperation based on mutual respect, consistent with the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement and the Iraqi Constitution, and foster an enduring bilateral partnership consistent with the Joint Statement between the United States and Iraq issued during the visit of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani to Washington, D.C., on April 15-16, 2024 and the Joint Statement between the United States and Iraq following the second U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue held in Washington, D.C. on July 22-23, 2024.
This historic transition marks one decade since the formation of the Coalition's military mission in Iraq and Iraq continues to engage with the United States and other members of the Coalition to establish bilateral security relations where appropriate.
In furtherance of the safe and orderly conclusion of the Global Coalition's military mission, the Government of Iraq reaffirms its commitment consistent with its international obligations, to protect international advisors present in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government.
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