About 131,000 American troops remain in the country . The U.S. military has been conducting a series of airstrikes against ISIS targets since August 2014. Withdrawal should include all the occupation forces . Al-Sadr commands the loyalty of the Mehdi Army , an independent militia . U.S. must now seek Iraqi permission to launch operations in the cities .
About 131,000 American troops remain in the country . Muqtada al-Sadr : Withdrawal should include all the occupation forces . Al-Sadr commands the loyalty of the Mehdi Army , an independent militia . U.S. must now seek Iraqi permission to launch operations in the cities .