Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zeidi on Wednesday declared the beginning of a “new phase defined by Iraq’s sovereignty” following the end of the US-led international coalition’s 12-year mission to fight the Islamic State, while stressing that cooperation with coalition countries would continue.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking at a ceremony in Baghdad, Al-Zeidi said, “A new phase has begun, defined by Iraq’s sovereignty, the strength of its institutions, the readiness of its forces, unity in decision-making, and balanced partnerships with its friends.”
“Security cooperation will remain an open path with our friends in the international coalition and will become more effective and focused,” he added.
The US-led international coalition was formed in Iraq and Syria in 2014 to fight the Islamic State after the group seized large areas of both countries. Iraq declared victory over the group in 2017, while the Islamic State lost most of the territory it controlled in Syria by 2019.
Although the group’s territorial control ended, the coalition maintained its presence in Iraq to support Iraqi forces in confronting remaining cells. A gradual withdrawal began under an agreement reached between Baghdad and Washington in 2024.
By early 2026, coalition forces in Iraq were limited to the Kurdistan Region in the north, before completing their withdrawal on September 30. The move formally ended the coalition’s military mission in Iraq after 12 years.
Iraqi authorities say their security forces are now capable of confronting threats from the Islamic State, while Baghdad’s relationship with coalition countries is shifting from the framework of an international military mission toward bilateral security partnerships.
The coalition’s presence had faced tensions in recent years with Iraqi armed factions, which targeted coalition forces with drones and rockets. US forces responded with strikes against positions belonging to those factions.
The end of the coalition mission comes amid continued debate in Iraq over placing all weapons under state control. The presence of foreign forces had been cited by armed factions in recent years as a justification for retaining their weapons, while the government continues efforts to reach an understanding on regulating weapons held outside state institutions.
Source:AFP
