OMM Redaksiyası
Iraq has announced the end of the US-led international coalition’s mission in the country, marking a transition to bilateral relations with coalition member states, the prime minister’s security adviser said on Wednesday, according to the official Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Qasim al-Araji described the move as an “important milestone” following negotiations and understandings that began in July 2021. US forces completed their withdrawal from their remaining positions in Iraq by the end of this month.
Security cooperation to continue
The next phase will involve “bilateral relations with its countries” aimed at consolidating Iraq’s sovereignty, al-Araji said.
He credited the defeat of the ISIS terrorist group to “the sacrifices of Iraqis and the valor of our armed forces in their various branches and formations,” as well as support from the international coalition and friendly and neighbouring countries.
Ending the coalition’s mission “does not mean the end of the partnership,” but instead represents a shift toward bilateral relations with its member states, he added.
Security and intelligence cooperation, information and expertise exchanges, and capacity-building efforts will continue “on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests,” according to al-Araji.
Agreement on transition
Baghdad and Washington agreed in September 2024 to end the coalition’s military mission in Iraq under a timetable extending through the end of September 2026. The arrangement envisaged a transition to bilateral security relations between Iraq and coalition member states.
The coalition was formed under US leadership in 2014 after ISIS seized large areas of Iraq and Syria. It provided Iraqi forces with air support, intelligence and training during operations against the group.
Iraq announced in December 2017 that it had regained full control of territory seized by ISIS.
