Baghdad and Washington are closing in on a deal that would see the US-led coalition end its presence in Iraq after a decade of fighting ISIS.
An Iraqi delegation spent Monday and Tuesday in Washington for the latest round of talks to wind down the coalition and establish new bilateral security partnerships with each country that still has troops there.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani is under increasing domestic pressure to agree on a timeline for the withdrawal of foreign forces, most of which are American, but the US is wary about pulling out of Iraq amid a continued ISIS presence.
Iraqi politician Jawad Al Bulani, who is on the parliamentary security and defence committee, said Baghdad and Washington “are putting the finishing touches on the withdrawal deal of all foreign troops in the coalition in Iraq”.
“They are in the final stages now to go ahead with the deal,” Mr Al Bulani told The National.
Both sides “have the perception that the mission of these troops is nearing its end", he said.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin held talks with Iraqi Defence Minister Thabet Al Abbasi on Tuesday, Pentagon press secretary Maj Gen Pat Ryder said.
Maj Gen Ryder declined to comment when asked about a timeline for withdrawal, but he emphasised what is at stake if the coalition does leave Iraq.
“This is an international coalition that 10 years ago came together to defeat ISIS, and so part of this is ensuring that ISIS can't resurge,” he told The National.
“We know that they remain committed to resurging, and we know that they remain committed to directing and inspiring attacks.”
Sources close to the Iraqi government confirmed to The National that Baghdad and Washington have agreed to start withdrawing some of the US troops operating under the coalition.
But some US and international forces would remain under new security agreements, the sources said. One probable role would be training Iraqi security forces.
Washington is open to withdrawing its forces from Ain Al Asad airbase in Al Anbar governorate, western Iraq, the Iraqi sources said.
However, Al Harir Air Base in Erbil remains a point of contention between the two sides, the sources said.
The US insists its presence there is needed to co-ordinate operations against ISIS in Syria, but Baghdad says it did not agree to that when coalition forces went to Iraq in 2014.
US combat troops left Iraq in 2011, eight years after the US-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein.
Thousands of US and international troops were reposted to the region in 2014 to help fight ISIS after it seized much of Iraq and Syria.
The extremist group was defeated in 2017 and driven out of the main cities it captured in Iraq, such as Mosul and Tikrit, but it has maintained a presence elsewhere in Iraq and Syria.
About 2,500 US troops are stationed in Iraq as part of the international coalition.
Reuters reported on Tuesday that Iraq wants troops from the US-led military coalition to begin withdrawing in September and to formally end the coalition's work by September 2025.
Quoting four Iraqi sources, the news agency said some US forces would probably remain in a newly negotiated advisory capacity.
Despite increasing security concerns about the country's ability to fight ISIS, Mr Al Sudani faces continued pressure to get US troops out.
Last week, US and coalition forces at Ain Al Asad Airbase intercepted two drones in the first attack against US forces in Iraq since early February.
Iraqi militias have launched a wave of attacks on US interests after the start of the war on Gaza in October, demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian territory run by their ally Hamas.
Many observers saw the Iraqi factions' attacks on US targets as a tactic aimed at pressuring Washington into full withdrawal from the country.
The US responded by carrying out strikes, mostly in Syria but also Iraq.
An unannounced deal in February that involved Iraqi factions, the Iraqi government, Tehran and the US, led to a halt in fighting for months, but the lull is slowly ending as the violence in Gaza spills over into the region.
The pause is also due to Iraqi government initiating talks with the US to agree on a timeline for withdrawing troops.
On January 27, Iraq and the US held the first round of talks to end the international coalition's mission.
The talks were paused after the deadly drone attack the next day on a US base in Jordan
If the current talks fail to reach an agreement, more attacks are widely expected after several warnings by Iraqi militias.
Last month, Qais Al Khazali, leader of the powerful, Iran-backed group Asa'ib Ahl Al Haq, warned that all US interests in the region, particularly in Iraq, will be targets if it supports any Israeli military operation against Lebanon.
Kataib Sayyid Al Shuhada was another faction to issue a warning against the US presence in Iraq, in June.
“The presence of American forces in Iraq – which are occupying forces – is categorically rejected,” the group’s spokesman told Iraq’s Shafaq news agency.
He said Kataib Sayyid Al Shuhada was “working to remove those forces through factional operations".
Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (11.30pm)
Saturday Freiburg v Borussia Monchengladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Dortmund, Cologne v Wolfsburg, Arminia Bielefeld v Mainz (6.30pm) Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig (9.30pm)
Sunday Werder Bremen v Stuttgart (6.30pm), Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen (9pm)
Monday Hoffenheim v Augsburg (11.30pm)
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
On Instagram: @WithHopeUAE
Although social media can be harmful to our mental health, paradoxically, one of the antidotes comes with the many social-media accounts devoted to normalising mental-health struggles. With Hope UAE is one of them.
The group, which has about 3,600 followers, was started three years ago by five Emirati women to address the stigma surrounding the subject. Via Instagram, the group recently began featuring personal accounts by Emiratis. The posts are written under the hashtag #mymindmatters, along with a black-and-white photo of the subject holding the group’s signature red balloon.
“Depression is ugly,” says one of the users, Amani. “It paints everything around me and everything in me.”
Saaed, meanwhile, faces the daunting task of caring for four family members with psychological disorders. “I’ve had no support and no resources here to help me,” he says. “It has been, and still is, a one-man battle against the demons of fractured minds.”
In addition to With Hope UAE’s frank social-media presence, the group holds talks and workshops in Dubai. “Change takes time,” Reem Al Ali, vice chairman and a founding member of With Hope UAE, told The National earlier this year. “It won’t happen overnight, and it will take persistent and passionate people to bring about this change.”
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Abandon
Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay
Translated by Arunava Sinha
Tilted Axis Press
Match info
Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace
Man of the match: Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace)
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
Meydan race card
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0DJemma%20Eley%2C%20Maria%20Michailidou%2C%20Molly%20Fuller%2C%20Chloe%20Andrews%20(of%20Dubai%20College)%2C%20Eliza%20Petricola%2C%20Holly%20Guerin%2C%20Yasmin%20Craig%2C%20Caitlin%20Gowdy%20(Dubai%20English%20Speaking%20College)%2C%20Claire%20Janssen%2C%20Cristiana%20Morall%20(Jumeirah%20English%20Speaking%20School)%2C%20Tessa%20Mies%20(Jebel%20Ali%20School)%2C%20Mila%20Morgan%20(Cranleigh%20Abu%20Dhabi).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
