Baghdad, SANA-  The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said Monday that the mission of the International Coalition in Iraq will be transformed into a more traditional bilateral security partnership between the United States and Iraq.

“This step does not mean that the coalition’s work in combating Daesh will stop,” the embassy said in a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA). It added that coalition activities will continue through civilian programs led by international partners, while details of future military operations will be handled by the U.S. Department of Defense.

The announcement followed remarks by Iraqi Prime Minister’s advisor Hussein Allawi, who said Sunday that the coalition’s mission in Baghdad and at Ain al-Asad Air Base will end next September. He stressed the government’s commitment to strengthening Iraq’s armed forces and bringing the coalition’s role to a close.

Rafah/Manar