Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has firmly rejected a proposal to extend the presence of international coalition forces in Iraq beyond the September 30 deadline, as revealed by government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi. This decision underscores Iraq's commitment to sovereignty and self-determination as the nation moves towards a new chapter in its security strategy.
According to Anadolu Agency, Al-Aboudi, speaking at a press conference, emphasized the Iraqi government's ongoing efforts to regulate and control weaponry within the country, while striving to unify decision-making processes. He assured that discussions with various factions are advancing smoothly, with the entire process slated for completion before the end of September.
Al-Aboudi highlighted that decisions made by the Iraqi state are fundamentally rooted in national interests. He described the ongoing talks as positive, indicating that future endeavors would focus on cooperation and mutual benefit. He reiterated that Prime Minister Al-Zaidi's rejection of the proposal for coalition forces to remain post-September is part of Iraq's broader strategy to monitor and respond to regional developments without becoming embroiled in external conflicts.
On August 12, Al-Zaidi had declared September 30 as the definitive deadline for concluding the international coalition's military mission in Iraq. This announcement was made during a meeting with US Central Command Commander Gen. Brad Cooper, where it was agreed that October 1 would herald a new era in Iraq's statehood, free from foreign military influence.
Both Iraqi and US officials have expressed their commitment to transitioning the nature of their bilateral relations to focus on economic and security cooperation, guided by mutual respect for sovereignty and shared interests. The US-led coalition, originally formed in 2014 to combat Daesh/ISIS, has seen its mission evolve since Iraq declared victory over ISIS in December 2017. While coalition forces had remained at Iraq's request to provide advisory and training support, the current administration's stand marks a decisive shift in Iraq's approach to foreign military presence.
Source: Anadolu Agency