Iraq Sets Sep 30 as Final Deadline for Withdrawal of US-led Coalition Forces

Baghdad, August 14: Iraq has set September 30 as the final deadline for the end of the military mission of the US-led international coalition against Daesh and the complete withdrawal of coalition forces from the country.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi said after meeting US Central Command chief General Brad Cooper in Baghdad that September 30 would mark the end of the international coalition’s military mission in Iraq and the final date for the withdrawal of coalition forces.

According to the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office, Iraq will enter a new phase from October 1, with the country moving towards an end to the presence of foreign military forces. Iraq and the United States had agreed on the timeline, which was also discussed during Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi’s visit to Washington in July.

The two sides also agreed that following the withdrawal of coalition forces, Iraq-US relations would move towards greater economic and security cooperation based on respect for Iraq’s sovereignty and mutual interests.

A US official also confirmed that Washington expects to complete the withdrawal of its forces from Iraq by September 30. However, the official did not provide details about the number of US troops currently in Iraq or their possible locations after the withdrawal.

According to the US official, the United States, Iraq and coalition partners have made significant progress in the fight against Daesh. Going forward, Iraqi security forces, the Peshmerga and other security forces in the Kurdistan Region will play the central role in counterterrorism operations.

The US military had withdrawn from most of its bases in Iraq last year, although its presence continued in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. The complete withdrawal of coalition forces would mark a significant step towards ending the US military presence in Iraq.