Iraqi defense minister backs US troop presence in Syria, cites ISIS threat

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Al-Abbasi has expressed support for the continued presence of U.S. and coalition forces in Syria, citing the ongoing threat posed by Islamic State group remnants and the Al-Hol camp, which houses families of ISIS fighters.

“Continued presence of international coalition forces against ISIS in Syrian territory is required,” Al-Abbasi said in an interview with Al Hadath.

He emphasized the link between Iraq and Syria’s security, stating, “Iraq’s security is an integral part of Syria’s security,” and added, “We see the necessity for the American forces to remain on the Syrian side because remnants of ISIS still exist.”

On the status of U.S. forces in Iraq, Al-Abbasi said coordination with the international coalition is ongoing and that Baghdad has not received any updates on changes to the withdrawal timeline. “Some sites are expected to be vacated at the end of September and transferred to Kurdistan,” he said.

In a joint statement issued in September 2024, the U.S. and Iraq announced that the coalition mission against ISIS in Iraq would formally end by late 2025. The decision followed several rounds of discussions about the future of the coalition, which was created in 2014 to combat the Islamic State group and includes forces from countries such as France and the United Kingdom.

Excerpts from Al-Abbasi’s interview with Al Hadath:

Continued presence of international coalition forces against ISIS in Syrian territory is required.

Iraq’s security is an integral part of Syria’s security.

We see the necessity for the American forces to remain on the Syrian side because remnants of ISIS still exist.

The Al-Hol camp, which includes families of the terrorist organization in Syria, still poses a danger to Iraq.

The Iraqi government requested from Damascus via Turkey the closure of the Al-Hol camp.

The problem of this camp lies in the nationals of European countries that have not shown any willingness to receive their citizens.

Coordination with the international coalition continues, and Baghdad has not received any notification regarding changes in the timing of the coalition forces’ withdrawal from Iraq, and some sites are expected to be vacated at the end of September and transferred to Kurdistan.

We have not received any signal from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump regarding changes in decisions, and we have not been asked to allow an increase in the number of American forces in Iraq.