Iraq will keep a limited US advisory presence to synchronize counter-IS surveillance and operations with American forces in neighboring Syria, officials said on October 20.

The decision adjusts a drawdown plan that aimed to wind down the coalition mission by September, reflecting concern that instability in Syria could enable IS to regroup despite diminished capabilities inside Iraq.

What Changes From the Drawdown Plan

Baghdad and Washington had agreed to wind down the coalition mission by this September, with US personnel departing several bases. Authorities now say a small contingent will remain at Ain al-Asad while other sites see “gradual reductions,” framing the shift as a narrow extension tied to cross-border coordination rather than a broader reversal of policy.

Bases, Numbers, And Mission Scope

Officials placed the remaining advisers and support staff at Ain al-Asad in western Iraq and al-Harir in the north, with a working range of roughly 250–350 personnel.

Their remit is to support surveillance and liaison with the US outpost at al-Tanf in Syria as Washington consolidates its Syria posture from multiple sites to a much smaller footprint.

Syria Turmoil And IS Risk Calculus

Baghdad argues IS “no longer poses a significant threat inside Iraq,” yet warns that Syria’s shifting battlefield could open seams that IS might exploit—particularly around detention sites and logistics corridors.

Independent tracking notes IS has lost territory but remains adaptive, prompting US plans to shrink but not abandon Syria operations amid ongoing consolidation.

Politics At Home: Militias, Iran, And Elections

Leaders reiterated “We put Iraq first… Iraq will not be a battlefield for conflicts,” while urging renewed US-Iran dialogue and pursuing disarmament and integration tracks for armed factions.

Debate continues over draft legislation to formalize the Popular Mobilization Forces’ status, a step watched closely by foreign partners as Iraq heads toward parliamentary elections next month.