Joint US-Iraqi operation raises concerns about role of US troops

A joint military operation carried out by Iraqi and American forces against ISIS in the Anbar Desert, western Iraq, last Thursday sparked heated political debates between different Iraqi factions. The operation, which resulted in the deaths of 14 ISIS militants, including key leaders, raised concerns about the role of American troops in Iraq, which are officially limited to advisory and training capacities.

The Iraqi military, in cooperation with intelligence services, called the operation a “strategic success,” stressing cooperation with international coalition forces.

According to ABC NewsFive U.S. personnel were injured during the operation, one of whom had to be evacuated for further treatment. Two other personnel were injured by falls, one of whom also had to be evacuated for further care. All injured personnel are reported to be in stable condition.

CENTCOM did not confirm the injuries and said 15 ISIS militants were killed in the attack. It did not specify what types of U.S. troops were involved.

Ghiyath Surchi, a senior figure in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), stated in an interview with The New Arab that the US has a limited number of forces in Iraq, primarily to protect the US embassy and interests.

He argued that while these forces are not equipped to deal with large-scale threats, their support remains vital to Iraqi security forces, which continue to require modern weapons, technology and intelligence provided by the coalition.

Surchi further warned that a complete U.S. withdrawal could leave Iraq vulnerable to an ISIS resurgence, potentially greater than the threat ISIS faced in 2004 when ISIS seized key areas in Iraq. He suggested that calls by some Iraqi politicians for a U.S. withdrawal are motivated by political and electoral considerations.

In contrast, Ali Al-Bandawi, a member of the Iraqi Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, expressed surprise at the US involvement and questioned the timing of the announcement about US casualties. He said Al-Arabi Al-JadeedAccording to reporters in Baghdad, Muhammed Emad and Safa al-Kubaisi, the US may be exploiting the situation to highlight Iraq’s continued dependence on international coalition support, which could potentially impact negotiations on the withdrawal of foreign troops.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani has consistently maintained that US troops in Iraq do not carry out combat duties, but only have an advisory and training role.

During a meeting on Sunday with Gen. Kevin Leahy, the commander of the international coalition mission to combat ISIS in Iraq, Al-Sudani reiterated that the remnants of ISIS no longer pose a significant threat to Iraq.

According to a statement from the prime minister’s office, the meeting also discussed the future of coalition support, focusing on the transition from a combat mission to a framework for bilateral relations between Iraq and coalition member states.

Lack of clarity about the role of the US military

The Iraqi military has yet to clarify the need for U.S. involvement in this particular operation or describe the exact role of U.S. forces. This ambiguity contrasts with statements by Iraqi officials, including al-Sudani, who have reiterated that Iraqi forces do not need foreign military support beyond advisory and training roles.

A military source quoted by Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed indicated that Iraqi forces were requesting U.S. support for an airstrike in the rugged terrain of Anbar, specifically in Al-Hazimi, east of Wadi Al-Ghadhaf, near the Syrian and Jordanian borders. The source explained that the challenging geography and the high stakes of targeting key ISIS leaders justified the request for U.S. assistance.

Al-Fatlawy, a leader in Iraq’s ruling Coordination Framework, questioned the need for U.S. military involvement, especially since previous operations were conducted without foreign assistance. He suggested that the timing of this joint operation could be intended to disrupt negotiations aimed at ending the international coalition’s presence in Iraq.

The operation has raised doubts about the Iraqi government’s negotiations with Washington over the withdrawal of the international coalition. Conflicting statements from Iraqi officials have suggested there may be a delay in the withdrawal of troops, following recent attacks on the Ain Al-Asad base, where US troops are based.

The government has not yet announced a clear timetable for the withdrawal or whether talks will continue, adding to the uncertainty and tensions in Iraq’s political landscape.