U.S. Military Seeks Security Agreement

U.S. troops could face new restrictions greatly curtailing Iraqi operations in 2009 without a new long-term security pact, military officials say.

If Iraq’s leaders fail to pass the security agreement before Jan. 1, officials say, military operations could come to a halt as soldiers retreat to bases, ground their aircraft and stop supporting Iraqi forces, USA Today reported Thursday.

The security pact would provide a legal basis for the U.S. presence in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires at the end of the year. It has been under negotiation for months.

In its current draft form, it would establish a time frame for the withdrawal of most U.S. troops by 2011 and set guidelines for how and where U.S. forces can conduct combat operations.

“Without (a security agreement), we would potentially have to cease all operations,” U.S. Army Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said.

The draft agreement was reached this month but Iraqi ministers have demanded further U.S. concessions making a request for an extension likely. Without a legal framework allowing U.S. soldiers to operate in Iraq, officials say, the United States would be operating illegally in the country.