Carter: To consolidate gains, US troops expected to remain in Iraq after Mosul | IHS Jane's 360

iven the degree of uncertainty in the run-up to the United States presidential election on 8 November, Ash Carter's message is both timely and pointed.

Preparing for the aftermath of retaking Mosul is indeed prudent, as Iraqi forces have been mired in Fallujah since re-capturing it in June. Stabilising and securing Fallujah and its surrounding area, so that citizens can return (an estimated 85,000 evacuated before Operation 'Breaking Terrorism' began there in May), has occupied significant numbers of ISF for the past few months, including the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service and other key forces.

The wider US military presence in Iraq likely is up to the next US president who will take office in January 2017, as well as the Iraqi government. For now the total authorised US military personnel for Iraq is around 5,250 troops, plus hundreds more are understood to be operating there on a 'rotational' basis through temporary duty assignments, but the number has been steadily increasing since US forces returned to Iraq in August 2014.