Baghdad says the conclusion of the US-led coalition’s military mission against ISIS will mark a new phase of Iraqi sovereignty and bilateral security ties.
Web Desk: Iraq has described September 30 as a major sovereignty milestone as the US-led international coalition prepares to end its military mission against ISIS (Daesh) in the country.
Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said the conclusion of the mission would allow Baghdad’s relations with coalition member states to shift toward bilateral partnerships based on Iraqi sovereignty and mutual interests.
Baghdad calls September 30 a sovereignty milestone
Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), al-Aboudi said the September 30 date was based on official understandings and commitments.
He said the Iraqi government was proceeding with the termination of the coalition mission according to the agreed timeline and mechanisms, adding that there would be no change to the course outside the will of the Iraqi state.
The government has also designated the transition as a “Sovereignty Day”, describing the next phase as one focused on full state authority over Iraqi territory, unified security decision-making and state control over the instruments of force.
Relations to shift toward bilateral partnerships
According to the Iraqi government, the end of the coalition’s military mission does not mean an end to relations with coalition countries.
Instead, Baghdad expects cooperation to move from the multinational coalition framework toward bilateral partnerships based on mutual interests and respect for Iraqi sovereignty.
Iraq has also said cooperation can continue in areas such as intelligence-sharing and training through bilateral arrangements.
Coalition mission began after ISIS expansion
The US-led international coalition was established in 2014, after ISIS captured large areas of Iraq and neighbouring Syria.
Iraq declared victory over ISIS in December 2017 after recovering territory held by the group. Coalition forces subsequently remained in Iraq in an advisory and training role at Baghdad’s request.
The planned conclusion of the coalition’s military mission therefore represents a transition from the campaign against ISIS toward a security relationship centred more directly on Iraqi institutions.
US confirms withdrawal timeline
The United States has also reaffirmed its commitment to the agreed September 30 transition.
A US State Department spokesperson told Rudaw that Washington was proceeding with the mutually determined timeline for coalition forces to end military operations in Iraq.
Iraqi officials have repeatedly described September 30 as a fixed and final deadline. Iraqi military spokesman Sabah al-Nu’man said earlier this month that the withdrawal was already underway and that the date reflected the Iraqi government’s position and sovereignty.
Security cooperation after the withdrawal
The transition does not necessarily mean that Iraq and coalition countries will cease security cooperation.
Iraqi officials have said the country’s armed forces and security institutions are prepared to assume responsibility, while future bilateral arrangements can continue cooperation in areas including training and intelligence.
NATO separately maintains a non-combat advisory and capacity-building mission in Iraq, established at Baghdad’s request in 2018. NATO says its mission focuses on helping Iraq build sustainable security institutions and armed forces.
