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Isabella Harper | Staff Writer with Agencies
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Monday that a small number of U.S. military advisers will remain in Iraq to coordinate with American forces in neighboring Syria against the Islamic State (IS) group.
The decision comes as part of ongoing security cooperation between Washington and Baghdad, despite previous plans to conclude the U.S.-led coalition’s mission in Iraq by September. The remaining advisers will focus on intelligence sharing, counterterrorism coordination, and regional stability efforts, particularly targeting IS cells that continue to operate along the Iraqi-Syrian border.
Last year, Iraq and the United States reached an agreement to gradually wind down the international coalition’s presence in the country, following significant progress in the fight against IS. Many coalition bases have since been handed over to Iraqi forces, signaling a shift toward a purely advisory and training-focused relationship.
A small contingent of U.S. military advisers will remain in the Iraq for now to coordinate with U.S. forces in neighboring Syria combating the Islamic State group.https://t.co/BmqFpsW1o8
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) October 20, 2025
Prime Minister al-Sudani emphasized that Iraq’s security forces are now capable of maintaining internal stability but highlighted the necessity of continued coordination with U.S. and coalition partners to address cross-border threats.
“The Islamic State remains a regional danger, and close cooperation with our partners ensures that Iraq does not face a resurgence of terrorism,” al-Sudani said.
U.S. officials have also reaffirmed their commitment to Iraq’s sovereignty while maintaining limited military support aimed at preventing IS from regrouping in the region.
The Islamic State, though territorially defeated in 2019, continues to stage sporadic attacks in remote areas of Iraq and Syria, particularly in the desert regions between the two countries.
International and Regional Reactions
Washington welcomed Iraq’s decision, describing it as a “practical and responsible step” that ensures the stability of ongoing counterterrorism operations. A U.S. Defense Department spokesperson said the cooperation “reflects a mutual understanding of the threat that IS continues to pose.”
In contrast, Iranian officials expressed skepticism about the extended U.S. military presence, warning that it could undermine Iraq’s sovereignty and regional independence. Syria, which continues to face remnants of IS on its territory, voiced cautious support for the coordination effort, emphasizing the need for “respect of Syrian sovereignty” in any cross-border operations.
Regional analysts suggest that Iraq’s decision reflects a careful balancing act—maintaining security cooperation with Washington while managing sensitivities among neighboring powers such as Iran and Syria.
Implications for Iraq’s Political and Security Landscape in 2025
Iraq’s decision to retain a limited number of U.S. military advisers underscores the government’s pragmatic approach to national security in a region still marked by instability. Prime Minister al-Sudani faces growing pressure to maintain Iraq’s sovereignty while ensuring that the threat from the Islamic State does not resurface.
This move also reflects Baghdad’s delicate balancing act between Western partners and regional allies such as Iran. By allowing a small U.S. presence under clearly defined parameters, Iraq demonstrates a willingness to cooperate internationally without reopening the door to a large-scale foreign deployment.
Politically, the decision may draw mixed reactions within Iraq’s parliament, where some factions view continued U.S. involvement as a violation of sovereignty, while others see it as essential to preserving stability and protecting recent security gains.
Security experts note that maintaining coordination with U.S. and coalition forces could help Iraq prevent the re-emergence of extremist networks, especially along the porous border with Syria. However, success will depend on Iraq’s ability to strengthen its intelligence apparatus and sustain counterterrorism operations independently over time.
If managed effectively, this limited partnership could represent a new model of cooperation—one in which Iraq retains operational control while benefiting from international expertise and intelligence support. Such a balance may prove critical as the country continues to rebuild and assert itself as a stabilizing force in the Middle East.
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