Is the US going back to Iraq?
Although the U.S. at one time had more than 100,000 troops in Afghanistan and more than 160,000 troops in Iraq, the military pulled out of Afghanistan completely in 2021. And, in Iraq, operations are limited now to just a handful of troops performing advise-and-assist missions only.
The U.S. ended its combat mission in Iraq on 9 December 2021, leaving 2,500 troops in the country to serve as trainers and advisors to Iraqi security forces.
The U.S. combat mission formally concluded on 9 December 2021, with 2,500 U.S. troops remaining in the country. As of March 15, 2023, the number of American forces in Iraq was still approximately 2,500 soldiers, deployed mainly in Baghdad and the north of the country.
While there is a more recent report as of June 2023, it does not include army numbers. The U.S. has since expanded into the Middle East and surrounding area – Turkey, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia each have at least 10 bases.
The renewed war drew an American-led intervention in 2014. Full-scale fighting in the country came to a close in 2017 as the Iraqi government and its allies largely defeated the IS. A low-level IS insurgency continues in the rural northern parts of the country.
Iraq - Level 4: Do Not Travel. Updated to reflect the ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members. Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and Mission Iraq's limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens.
| President of the Republic of Iraq | |
|---|---|
| Incumbent Abdul Latif Rashid since 17 October 2022 | |
| Executive branch of the Federal Government of the Republic of Iraq | |
| Style | His Excellency |
| Type | Head of state |
| Type | Name | Governorate |
|---|---|---|
| Camp | Liberty (Camp Hurriya) Camp Victory North (Camp Al-Tahreer) | Baghdad |
| Camp | Lima (Baghdad) | |
| Camp | Loki | Erbil |
| Camp | Manhattan Camp Habbaniyah | Al Anbar |
On 25 March 2023, the U.S. military struck facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Syria in response to a drone attack that killed a US contractor in northeastern Syria on 23 March 2023. On 26 October, two U.S. jets struck two IRGC sites in Syria.
Holding the top position, the United States commands the most potent military force globally. With a Power Index of 0.0712 according to Global Firepower, it demonstrates unparalleled capabilities in defense technologies and armed forces.
Can soldiers have cell phones while deployed?
Chances are you won't be able to use your cellphone if you're deployed overseas, and many service providers allow active duty service members to pause their accounts.
As of February 2021, there are around 900 U.S. soldiers operating in Syria, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The United States is also the world's third largest army in terms of manpower, with about 1.4 million active military personnel in 2022. The United States military consists of different service branches, including the Army, Navy, Airforce, Marine Corps, and Space Force.
Do not travel to Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, due to the volatile security situation and the threat of terrorism, armed conflict, kidnapping and violent crime. See Safety.
But, you know, life is still really hard for Iraqis in general. There is a - still a security situation, some attacks by ISIS, roadside bombs and militia violence, but also almost worse for many people in their daily lives is the fact that the health care system, the education system here, is crumbling.
Twenty years after the US-led invasion of Iraq, the country is now run by its eighth government, which took power in October 2022. Despite continuous fears of implosion, the political order and the elite in Iraq have proven resilient in the face of terrorism, civil war, threats of secession, and mass protests.
Today, the United States and Iraq both consider themselves as strategic partners, given the American political and military involvement after the invasion of Iraq and their mutual, deep-rooted relationship that followed.
Iraq has not been a safe country for nearly four decades. Iran, by contrast, has a strong security apparatus, functional police, and a stable government. Regardless of certain draconian government policies, the country is rather safe from an “I won't die violently” perspective.
- Do not say anything that could be taken as insulting or derogatory. ...
- Do not patronise or talk down to an Iraqi for having poor English.
- Avoid talking about politics in Iraq unless they initiate the conversation. ...
- Avoid telling crass or dirty jokes.
And in that context, U.S. troops in Syria and Iraq find themselves under steady rocket fire from militias, mostly backed by Iran. The small numbers of U.S. forces are dotted across vast expanses, in some cases in remote areas, to disrupt Iranian influence and supply lines across the region.
Is Iraq an ally of the United States?
Iraq is now a key partner for the United States in the region as well as a voice of moderation and democracy in the Middle East.
Along with Iraq's alleged development of weapons of mass destructions, another justification for invasion was the purported link between Saddam Hussein's government and terrorist organizations, in particular al-Qaeda. In that sense, the Bush administration cast the Iraq war as part of the broader War on Terrorism.
Charles Q. Brown Jr. Starting on 17 October 2023, Iran-backed militias initiated a coordinated series of more than 115 attacks on U.S. military bases and assets in Syria and Iraq. These attacks resulted in injuries to dozens of U.S. servicemembers.
On 8 November, the US officially reported that Iranian-affiliated militias had carried out more than 40 successful drone and rocket strikes targeting US airbases in Iraq and Syria carried out within three weeks. US military officials has counted 103 attacks against its troops in Iraq and Syria since 17 October.
Camp Victory is the most important component of the Victory Complex in Iraq. The complex is a military base run by the United States forces after the invasion of Iraq. This area represented one of the essential spots on the Iraqi map. The complex consists of 10 different bases.
References
- https://www.veteransunited.com/money/suspending-your-cell-phone-during-deployment/
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iraq-prepares-close-down-us-led-coalitions-mission-pm-statement-2024-01-05/
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/26/iraq-war-veterans-accounts-stories
- https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2023/10/30/jordan-asks-us-to-deploy-patriot-air-defense-systems/
- https://www.npr.org/2023/03/20/1164641732/where-does-iraq-stand-now-20-years-after-the-u-s-invasion
- https://aaronmeyerlaw.com/army-bases/
- https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3486494/us-iraq-examine-new-strategic-relationship/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_military_installations_in_Iraq
- https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/iran/travel-facts
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-reaches-deal-extend-military-presence-qatar-base-source-2024-01-02/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq%E2%80%93United_States_relations
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_conflict
- https://www.cato.org/commentary/why-are-american-troops-still-iraq-syria
- https://www.thoughtco.com/iran-and-iraq-differences-195595
- https://militarybases.com/overseas/iraq/camp-victory/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_League%E2%80%93Iran_relations
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93Iraq_relations
- https://www.statista.com/topics/2171/armed-forces-of-the-united-states/
- https://tnsr.org/2023/06/why-did-the-united-states-invade-iraq-the-debate-at-20-years/
- https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/modern-us/1990s-america/a/the-gulf-war
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_support_for_Iraq_during_the_Iran%E2%80%93Iraq_War
- https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/iraqi-culture/iraqi-culture-do-s-and-don-ts
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacks_on_U.S._bases_in_Iraq_and_Syria_(2023%E2%80%93present)
- https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/iraq
- https://www.forbesindia.com/article/explainers/top-10-countries-with-most-powerful-military-strength/89891/1
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_United_States%E2%80%93Middle_East_economic_relations
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_Iraq_(2003%E2%80%932011)
- https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3417495/defense-official-says-us-remains-committed-to-middle-east/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq
- https://www.axios.com/2023/10/31/american-troops-middle-east-israel-palestine
- https://www.nids.mod.go.jp/english/publication/studyreport/pdf/study_e2007_09.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Iraq_relations
- https://www.state.gov/the-u-s-egypt-relationship/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_cost_of_the_Iraq_War
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-believes-hamas-cannot-govern-gaza-future-white-house-2023-11-01/
- https://globalaffairs.org/bluemarble/us-sending-more-troops-middle-east-where-world-are-us-military-deployed
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Iraq.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_the_United_States
- https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3632005/self-defense-strike-in-iraq-kills-terrorist-leader/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_deployments
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/191210/petroleum-imports-into-the-us-from-iraq-since-2000/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_invasion_of_Iraq
- https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-iraq/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_intervention_in_the_Syrian_civil_war
- https://ecfr.eu/publication/from-shock-and-awe-to-stability-and-flaws-iraqs-post-invasion-journey/
- https://freedomhouse.org/country/iraq/freedom-world/2023
- https://www.britannica.com/event/Iraq-War
- https://www.todaysmilitary.com/ways-to-serve/service-branches
- https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/27/politics/fears-middle-east-war-biden/index.html
- https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/iraq/
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/why-u-s-forces-remain-in-iraq-20-years-after-shock-and-awe
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationale_for_the_Iraq_War
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/15-most-important-u-military-102443947.html
- https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/military/how-many-us-service-members-missing/
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/a-timeline-of-the-iraq-war
- https://www.quora.com/Can-soldiers-who-are-deployed-for-peace-text-anytime-they-want
- https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/infocus/mideast/
- https://www.sipri.org/commentary/topical-backgrounder/2023/iraq-2023-challenges-and-prospects-peace-and-human-security
- https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Overseas-Operations/Article/1236564/airmen-maintain-security-at-al-asad-air-base-in-iraq/
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/iraq-travel-advisory.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Iraq
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_of_duty
- https://www.quora.com/Is-Iran-or-Iraq-a-safer-country
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_of_United_States_troops_from_Iraq_(2020%E2%80%932021)
- https://www.pw.live/exams/defence/top-10-powerful-countries-in-the-world-by-military-strength/
- https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_88247.htm
- https://iq.usembassy.gov/security-alert-embassy-iraq-oct-22-2023/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US-led_intervention_in_Iraq_(2014%E2%80%932021)
- https://news.yahoo.com/map-iran-surrounded-u-military-165713773.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Iraq
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zv7bkqt/revision/2
- https://www.georgewbushlibrary.gov/research/topic-guides/the-iraq-war
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Iraq
- https://www.state.gov/united-states-saudi-arabia-relationship-eight-decades-of-partnership/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93United_States_relations
- https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/middle-east/iraq
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_US_strikes_in_Syria
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_attacks_on_U.S._bases_in_Iraq_and_Syria
- https://www.npr.org/2023/03/25/1165953799/congress-repeal-iraq-war-aumf-vietnam
- https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-saudi-arabia/
