The United States Department of Defense continues to have a large number of temporary military bases in Iraq, most a type of forward operating base (FOB).
Depending on their size or utility, the installations were called: camp, forward operating bases (FOBs), contingency operating bases (COBs), contingency operating sites (COSs), combat outposts (COPs), patrol base (PBs), logistic based (log bases), fire bases (FBs), convoy support centers (CSCs), logistic support areas (LSAs), and joint security stations (JSSs).
Near the end of Occupation of Iraq (2003–2011), the last several camps and forward operating bases were changed to contingency operating bases and sites.
At the height of the occupation the US had 170,000 men and women in uniform stationed in 505 bases sprinkled throughout all the provinces of Iraq. Another 135,000 private military contractors were also working in Iraq.[1][2]
Due to International military intervention against ISIL, personnel have returned to old bases and new bases created. Control of many U.S.-operated bases was transferred to the Iraqi government during the 2020–2021 U.S. troop withdrawal.
At the request of the Iraqi government in January 2024,[3] and amid rising regional tensions following the 2023 Israeli invasion of Gaza, the US and Iraq are set to begin negotiations to end US military presence in Iraq.[4]
- ^ Basu, Moni (December 18, 2011). "Deadly Iraq war ends with exit of last U.S. troops". CNN.
- ^ "Infographic: US ends Iraq war chapter". Al Jazeera. December 22, 2011.
- ^ "Iraqi leader again demands US-led coalition leave". France24. AFP. January 18, 2024.
- ^ Flaherty, Anne (January 25, 2024). "US, Iraq to begin talks that could lead to withdrawal of remaining American troops". ABC News. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
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