The Iraqi government is forming a committee to prepare the closing down of the U.S.-led international coalition’s mission in the country. This was stated by Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani. The statement came a day after a U.S. strike killed a militia leader in Baghdad, prompting anger among Iran-aligned groups that demanded the government end the presence of the coalition in Iraq.
The committee would include representatives of the military coalition. The Pentagon said the U.S. military launched Thursday’s strike in retaliation against recent attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq and Iran.
The United States has 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq on a mission. It aims to advise and assist local forces trying to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State, which in 2014 seized large parts of both countries before being defeated.
Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq and Syria oppose Israel’s campaign in the Gaza Strip and hold the U.S. partly responsible. Prime Minister Sudani has limited control over some Iran-backed factions, with whose support he won power a year ago and who now form a powerful bloc in his governing coalition.
Islamic State claimed responsibility on Thursday for two explosions in Iran that killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores at a memorial for top commander Qassem Soleimani.
