Reuters news agency reported that the US and Iraqi governments have broadly agreed to a plan to pull out US-led coalition forces sent to Iraq to fight Islamic State militants.

On Friday, Reuters quoted multiple sources as saying the plan would see hundreds of troops leave by September 2025, with the remainder departing by the end of 2026.

The coalition forces have been stationed in Iraq since 2014 to fight Islamic State militants. They have remained there even after the militant group was ousted from territory it had controlled.

Washington and Baghdad have been discussing the future role of the forces.

Reuters also reported that the two governments aim to establish a new advisory relationship that could see some US troops remain in Iraq after the drawdown.

In recent years, the US military presence in Iraq has been keeping Iran and Iran-backed militants in check. Some observers say their departure would impact the situation in the region.