Iraq, US Agree to Lower International Coalition's Command Representation Level

Iraq and the United States have agreed to reduce the international coalition's command representation in Iraq by the end of this month, according to Iraq's security media agency.

Two Iraqi and American military-technical committees met yesterday as part of the strategic dialogue between the two countries and agreed to reduce the number of US combat units and capabilities stationed at military bases in Ein Al-Asad and Irbil by the end of September, according to the department.

The new command level would be led by a Major-General rather than a General, and the new commander would be in charge of management, support, and supplies, as well as intelligence exchange on the Iraqi side, according to the report.

The technical committees also agreed to convene on a regular basis to ensure that the multinational coalition's non-combat operations are fully transitioned by the end of the year.

According to the statement, both parties emphasised that the US and international forces were deployed at the request of the Iraqi government with the goal of providing protection in accordance with international law.

In July, the US and Iraqi armies decided to stop the combat mission of American combat soldiers while retaining special forces for training.