Iraq to maintain small U.S. military presence to combat ISIS threat

Don’t miss the full story, whose reporting from Qassim Abdul-Zahra at The Associated Press is the basis of this AI-assisted article.

Iraq’s prime minister announced that a small contingent of U.S. military advisers would remain in the country to coordinate counter-Islamic State operations with forces in Syria, despite an agreement last year to wind down the American-led coalition by September.

Some key facts:

• Between 250 and 350 U.S. military advisers and security personnel will remain at the Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq.

• The advisers will support counter-ISIS surveillance and coordinate with the al-Tanf base in Syria.

• U.S. forces are also stationed at a base adjacent to Baghdad airport and the al-Harir air base in northern Iraq.

• The decision to maintain advisers was influenced by developments in Syria following the fall of former President Bashar Assad in December.

• Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stated that ISIS no longer poses a significant threat inside Iraq.

• Iraq is seeking to balance its relations with the United States and Iran while avoiding being pulled into regional conflicts.

• Tensions exist between Baghdad and Washington over Iran-backed militias in Iraq, particularly the Popular Mobilization Forces.

• Iraq is preparing for parliamentary elections next month that will determine whether al-Sudani serves a second term.

READ MORE: Iraq keeping a small contingent of U.S. military advisers due to the Islamic State threat in Syria