The US administration is abandoning plans to keep troops in Iraq even after the end of the planned deadline at the end of this year, the Associated Press (AP) reported yesterday.
A senior administration official in Washington, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that by December 31, all American troops will leave Iraq, except for about 160 soldiers who are part of the embassy in Baghdad.
The Pentagon previously considered keeping about 5.000 troops in Iraq to continue training the Iraqi military and assisting it with security tasks.
An unnamed military official told the AP that even with a full withdrawal, limited US military missions could be sent to Iraq for training purposes if needed later.
In recent months, the US has discussed with the Iraqi authorities the possibility and conditions of maintaining a certain military presence there.
The Iraqis, however, did not agree to give the American soldiers legal immunity before the Iraqi courts in that case, which the Americans insisted on.
In August of last year, the US withdrew the last combat units from Iraq and kept about 50.000 troops there in, as explained, an advisory role, whose presence should end by the end of this year.
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