The U.S. announced an agreement with the Iraqi government to wrap up the military mission in Iraq of an American-led coalition fighting
the Islamic State group by next year, with U.S. troops departing some bases that they have long occupied during a two-decade-long military presence in the country.

The Biden administration refused to provide details on how many of the approximately 2,500 U.S. troops still serving in Iraq will remain there or acknowledge it will mark
a full withdrawal from the country.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh mentioned that the U.S. footprint in Iraq will be changing but did not provide specifics.

The agreement comes at a contentious time for the Middle East, with escalating conflict between Israel and two Iranian-backed militant groups — Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza — threatening a broader regional war.

For years, Iraqi officials have periodically called for a withdrawal of coalition forces, and formal talks to wind down the U.S. presence in the country have been ongoing for months.

U.S. officials who briefed reporters Friday said the agreement will bring about a two-phase transition in the troops assigned to Iraq that began this month.