Will US Troops Withdraw from Iraq?... 'Withdrawal Included in Strategic Dialogue Agenda'

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The United States has decided to hold strategic talks with Iraq in June covering security and economic sectors. Attention is focused on whether discussions on the withdrawal of U.S. troops will be intensified.

US Troops Stationed in Iraq
Photo by EPA Yonhap News

On the 7th (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the holding of strategic talks with Iraq, stating, "At this meeting, we will discuss the best ways to support Iraq, including the future presence of U.S. troops stationed in Iraq."

David Hale, the third-ranking official at the U.S. State Department, will take charge of preparations for the strategic talks. Deputy Secretary Hale introduced that issues such as the decline in oil prices and preventing the resurgence of the Islamic extremist group Islamic State (IS) are expected to be discussed.

Regarding the upcoming strategic talks, which will also address the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in Iraq, foreign media view it as closely related to the emergence of Iraq's new Prime Minister Adnan al-Zurfi.

On the 5th, Prime Minister al-Zurfi demanded that the number of U.S. troops stationed in Iraq be reduced by half within the year. He stated, "Iraq no longer needs foreign troops," and also demanded the presentation of a withdrawal schedule.

Prime Minister al-Zurfi is classified as a pro-American figure who even holds U.S. citizenship. Because of this, despite his nomination as prime minister, there were significant doubts about whether his cabinet appointments would pass parliamentary approval. Al-Zurfi’s active stance on U.S. troop withdrawal and other anti-American positions appears to be a move to dispel the impression of being pro-American while strengthening his position. Analysts interpret the U.S. decision to engage in strategic talks as a measure considering al-Zurfi’s standing.

Meanwhile, U.S. troops stationed in Iraq have been targets of militias supported by Iran. To protect U.S. forces from direct threats such as missiles, the U.S. has taken measures including withdrawing troops from outlying bases and deploying Patriot anti-aircraft missiles.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.