The United States will retain a presence at two military bases in Iraq following the withdrawal of its combat forces, sources told Shafaq News on Saturday, clarifying the next phase of the ongoing drawdown under a bilateral security agreement.

According to the sources, the two bases will host a limited number of U.S. military advisers dedicated to providing training and coordination support for Iraqi forces "as needed." This advisory role marks a strategic shift as the U.S. moves away from a combat mission.

The plan, negotiated between Washington and Baghdad, stipulates that all U.S. combat troops will depart the country by September 2026. As part of this transition, the overall number of Global Coalition personnel in Iraq—which once stood at approximately 2,000—will be reduced to fewer than 500. The majority of these remaining personnel will be stationed in Erbil in the northern Kurdistan Region, with others redeployed to bases in Kuwait.

The Iraqi government has characterized this new phase as a “restoration of sovereignty,” emphasizing that it allows for continued security and intelligence cooperation with the United States.

The withdrawal has been met with differing reactions across Iraq's political spectrum. Iran-aligned factions, which have long pressured for a full U.S. exit, have hailed the move as a “resistance victory.” In contrast, Kurdish officials have expressed support for a limited ongoing U.S. presence, citing the need for assistance in countering persistent threats from ISIS, particularly in northern Iraq.