JOC: Coalition Combat Forces Redeployed Outside Iraq 

The leadership of joint operations, confirmed on Thursday, the withdrawal of combat units from the international coalition and the redeployment outside Iraq. 

Lieutenant-General Abdul-Amir Al-Shammari, Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, told Al-Iraqiya News Channel, followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "over the past months, we have held a series of meetings with the international coalition to determine the shape of the relationship with the Iraqi forces."

He added, "Today's meeting of the Military Technical Committee from the Iraqi side and its counterpart from the international coalition witnessed the presence of the commander of the NATO mission, under the auspices of the National Security Adviser, and the presence of members of the Iraqi Technical Committee, in which the general framework of the relationship was determined, and we affirm that the combat units of the international coalition withdrew and redeployed outside Iraq. ". 

He pointed out that "what happened took place within the framework of the agreement on the withdrawal of combat forces outside Iraq.". 

In addition to  that he add that "the international coalition forces handed over heavy equipment to the Iraqi forces before the withdrawal, and their numbers started decreasing since last July." Stressing that "the Iraqi side informed the international coalition that there is no need for ground forces, and the Iraqi forces control the land and carry out daily successful operations against ISIS terrorist gangs.". 

The cell stated in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the National Security Adviser, Qassem Al-Araji, hosted today in Baghdad a meeting between the Iraqi Military Technical Committee headed by the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations Lieutenant-General Abdul Amir Al-Shamri and its counterpart in the coalition forces headed by the Commander of Operations Forces." Inherent Resolve in Iraq Major General John Brennan (USA), and in the presence of his deputy, Brigadier General Carl Harris (UK), Director of Interagency and Civilian Environment, Brigadier General Vincent Coste (France), and Director of the Office of Security Cooperation at the US Embassy, Brigadier General Keith Phillips. The commander of the NATO mission in Iraq, Lieutenant-General Michael Lullsgaard (Denmark).   

The cell added, "It was attended by the deputy chief of staff of the Iraqi army, the commanders of weapons (land, air, air defense, army aviation, and the naval force), the director of military intelligence and the representative of the Ministry of Peshmerga, who presented a list arranged in order of priorities for institutional cooperation that plans the Iraqi security forces, the coalition and the NATO mission. NATO to jointly focus on it over the next 24 months.   

Major General John Brennan offered, according to the statement, that "in light of the recent transfers of personnel and equipment outside Iraq, the coalition will complete the transition to non-combat missions before the end of this year, according to what has been agreed upon.".   

The National Security Qassim al Araji said that "cooperation will continue between the Iraqi forces and the international coalition in terms of advice, assistance and empowerment", in advance of congratulations to the parties gathered on a near full transition sooner termination than planned, and according to strategic dialogue. ".   

In addition to that the cell added, that The parties participating in the meeting reaffirmed their mutual commitment to continuous cooperation, and have clearly defined how the coalition will continue to support operations led by the Iraqi security forces. In addition, the leaders of the two joint operations and the international coalition discussed the lessons learned from the successful operations against Daesh. "