WASHINGTON, 27 July. - (ANA)  - US President Joe Biden has said US forces will end their combat mission in Iraq by the end of this year. 

 

There are currently 2,500 US troops in Iraq helping local forces counter what remains of the Islamic State. 

 

They are expected to remain in the country once their combat mission ends, but only to train and advise the Iraqi military. 

 

US combat troops first withdrew in 2011, however, they returned at the request of the Iraqi government three years later.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/27 July 2021 - - -