This Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin indicated that the United States will maintain a military presence in Iraq almost 20 years after overthrowing Saddam Hussein's regime.
Austin made the announcement during an unannounced trip to Iraq. He also reported that the decision was taken "at the invitation of the Government of Iraq" and came after a meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed al-Sudani. As quoted by Reuters:
U.S. forces are ready to remain in Iraq at the invitation of the government of Iraq. …The United States will continue to strengthen and broaden our partnership in support of Iraqi security, stability, and sovereignty.
About 2,500 U.S. troops are currently in Iraq to help the Iraqi military fight the Islamic State terrorist network. U.S. soldiers were officially withdrawn from the country in 2011.
"The stability of Iraq is the key to the security and stability of the region"
In a statement following Austin's remarks, Prime Minister al-Sudani noted that his government's approach is to maintain balanced relations domestically and internationally. He also said he wants the agreement to be based on shared interests and respect for "sovereignty":
The stability of Iraq is the key to the security and stability of the region.
Austin, who is a former head of U.S. forces in the Middle East, said in 2011 that the U.S. had achieved its military objectives in Iraq. However, under the Barack Obama administration, thousands of U.S. troops were sent back to Iraq and Syria to reinforce the fight against the Islamic State.
