Western contractors at a U.S.-led coalition base in Iraq say American troops have started to draw down from the country after the defeat of the Islamic State group.

U.S. soldiers, weapons and equipment are being transported out of Iraq to Afghanistan, the contractors said. Dozens of American soldiers have left on daily flights over the last week.

Two Iraqi officials told the Associated Press that the U.S.-led coalition has reached an agreement to draw down its troops in Iraq for the first time since the war against Islamic State was launched more than three years ago.

An AP reporter at the base saw troop movements matching the officials’ account.


The contractors and officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations and declined to reveal the exact size of the drawdown.