Iraq says Sept. 30 coalition withdrawal marks 'historic transformation'

Iraq's military leadership on Saturday designated September 30 as the date for the withdrawal of international coalition forces, describing the moment as a "strategic milestone" that acknowledges Baghdad's capacity to secure its territory without foreign assistance. Sabah al-Numan, spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, said the decision reflected the readiness of Iraq's armed forces and security agencies to manage national security completely independently. "The selection of this date for the withdrawal of coalition forces and the end of their mission was not an arbitrary decision," he told the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

New era of sovereignty

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi reinforced the announcement during an August 12 meeting with US Central Command Commander Gen. Brad Cooper in Baghdad, stating that October 1 would mark a new day in Iraq's statehood. "Oct. 1 would mark a new day in Iraq's statehood," al-Zaidi said, adding that Iraq would be free of any foreign military presence. The two sides affirmed their agreement to end the coalition's military mission while shifting relations toward comprehensive economic and security cooperation based on mutual respect for sovereignty and shared interests.

End of coalition combat mission

Established in 2014 to combat Daesh/ISIS, the US-led international coalition entered Iraq after the terrorist group seized large areas of the country and neighboring Syria. Iraq declared military victory over the terror group in December 2017 following the recapture of occupied territories, though coalition forces remained in an advisory and training capacity at Baghdad's request. Al-Numan said Iraq had demonstrated its ability to defeat terrorist groups and prevent the spread of terrorism in the region, adding that the completion of the withdrawal would open a new chapter in Iraq's relations with other countries, including security, economic and training partnerships based on mutual respect and Iraqi sovereignty.