Hopes, No Dates, for US Withdrawal From Iraq

WASHINGTON - Improved performance by Iraqi military forces is allowing the United States and Iraq to look ahead to the day when U.S. forces will no longer be needed to help Baghdad stave off the threat from the Islamic State terror group and its remnants. نتائج الجولة الثالثة من الحوار الإستراتيجي بوابة لاستعادة الوضع الطبيعي في العراق، وبما يستحق العراق، وهو إنجاز جدير أن نهنىء به شعبنا المحب للسلام.الحوار هو الطريق السليم لحل الأزمات، شعبنا يستحق أن يعيش السلم والأمن والازدهار، لا الصراعات والحروب والسلاح المنفلت والمغامرات. Massive air operation in support of #Iraq|i offensive vs #ISIS in the Makhmour Mountains312 airstrikes by coalition & Iraqi military to help destroy 120 hideouts & 27 ISIS fighters, per @OIRSpox & @IraqiSpoxMOD https://t.co/S3JQH7qvjp

In a communique issued Wednesday following virtual talks between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, the two countries agreed to embark on technical talks aimed at establishing a timeline for U.S. combat troops to leave. “The mission of U.S. and Coalition forces has now transitioned to one focused on training and advisory tasks, thereby allowing for the redeployment of any remaining combat forces from Iraq,” the communique stated, pointing to the “increasing capacity” of the Iraqi security forces. In a tweet late Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi described the talks with Washington as a “gateway to restore the normal situation in Iraq” and said the Iraqi people deserve to live without fear of conflict.