The US envoy to the international coalition against ISIS, Ian McCary, stated that there are currently no plans to withdraw forces from Iraq.
McCary clarified in an interview with the US-based Al-Hurra channel on Friday that Iraq is a founding member of the international coalition and plays a leading role in it, emphasizing that the coalition benefits from Iraq’s experience in targeting the organization.
He affirmed that there are bilateral discussions with Iraq to establish a permanent framework for security cooperation between the two countries, noting that the coalition provides technical cooperation with Iraqis and that its role in Iraq is supportive, emphasizing that “the Iraqi forces have very advanced capabilities in combating ISIS elements.”
Regarding Syria, McCary explained that there is no cooperation with the Syrian regime and no diplomatic contacts with it, confirming that “there are still ISIS elements in Syria, and we are working to confront them.”
He revealed that there are joint efforts by the coalition with African countries to defeat and prevent the spread of the organization on the continent, explaining that the coalition is working to provide technical assistance and capacity building to African countries to prevent the spread of ISIS.
There are approximately 2,500 US soldiers in Iraq, while about 900 US soldiers are deployed in Syria, as part of the work of the international coalition launched by Washington in 2014.
