In a recent drone attack in Baghdad, the United States targeted and killed Kataib Hezbollah commander Abu Baqir al-Saadi, further escalating the ongoing hostilities between Iran-backed militias and the US in Iraq. The strike, which occurred on February 7, has raised concerns about the future of the US military presence in the country.

The killing of al-Saadi was not the first retaliatory strike by the US in response to a deadly attack on a US base in Jordan the previous month. Similar to the assassination of senior Iranian and Iraqi officials in Baghdad four years ago, this attack has far-reaching implications for the US military's role in Iraq.

Iraq's government expressed strong condemnation of the drone strike, considering it an attack on the country's sovereignty. The Iraqi Prime Minister, who came to power with the support of Iran-backed political parties, has responded to calls for the disbandment of the US-led military coalition in Iraq, which currently consists of approximately 2,500 US military personnel.

Efforts to establish a timetable for the gradual reduction and eventual termination of the international coalition forces' mission have been ongoing. The coalition was initially formed in 2014 when Iraq requested US assistance in combating the Islamic State group. However, in recent years, Iran-backed militias have become an integral part of Iraq's government security forces and hold significant political influence within the Iraqi parliament.

The killing of al-Saadi has hastened calls for the departure of US forces from Iraq. Iraqi officials believe that the incident will reinforce the necessity of ending the international coalition's mission, and there are expectations that the coalition could be disbanded within a year.

The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, combined with the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, has further inflamed tensions in the region. Iraq-based militias, including Kataib Hezbollah, have intensified their attacks on US targets, aligning themselves with the goal of supporting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

While the US and Iran continue to engage in retaliatory attacks on Iraqi soil, Iraqi officials urge for these actions to cease. They believe that Iraq is caught in the middle of the conflict between its American ally and its Iranian neighbor.

As the discussions on the future of US troops in Iraq take place, multiple factors will be considered, including the readiness of Iraqi security forces, the operational environment, and the level of threat posed by ISIS. While some Iraqi officials and militia leaders indicate that a small number of military advisers could still be acceptable, the decision ultimately lies in joint deliberations between various stakeholders.

The recent drone strike and its aftermath highlight the delicate balance Iraq must navigate in addressing the demands of its allies and neighbors. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but the outcome will undoubtedly have significant implications for the security dynamics in Iraq and the broader Middle East.