ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The US Defense Department on Tuesday reaffirmed that Washington and the Global Coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) will be reducing their military presence in Iraq, describing the step as a reflection of their “combined success” in fighting the militant group.

Iraq and the US in September 2024 announced they had reached an agreement to wrap up the US-led coalition’s military presence in the country by “no later than the end of September 2025” and transition to bilateral security partnerships “in a manner that supports Iraqi forces and maintains pressure on ISIS.”

“This reduction reflects our combined success in fighting ISIS and marks an effort to transition to a lasting US-Iraq security partnership in accordance with US national interests, the Iraqi Constitution, and the US-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement,” read a statement from the Pentagon.

Signed in 2008, the Strategic Framework Agreement seeks to normalize US-Iraq relations through building strong economic, diplomatic, cultural, and security ties. The agreement serves as the cornerstone for a long-term bilateral relationship between Baghdad and Washington based on mutual goals.

“This partnership will support US and Iraqi security and strengthens Iraq's ability to realize economic development, foreign investment, and regional leadership,” the statement added, stressing that Washington will continue coordination with Baghdad and Coalition members to “ensure a responsible transition.”

The decision to draw down the coalition’s mission in Iraq came after the Iraqi government repeatedly stated that there was no longer a need for the their military presence in the country since ISIS has been defeated.

Under the two-phase transition agreement, hundreds of US and coalition troops are scheduled to depart, with the mission shifting toward bilateral advisory and capacity-building roles.

US forces are set to remain in the Kurdistan Region until September 2026, according to the agreement.

Prior to the transition, the US had approximately 2,400 military personnel deployed in Iraq. US forces were deployed to Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government in 2014 to fight ISIS, which had then overrun large swathes of Iraqi territory in the north and west of the country.