Iraq sees September 30 end of coalition military mission as step toward sovereignty, bilateral ties

Iraq said on Friday that the September 30 end of the military mission of the US-led international coalition against ISIS (Daesh) will pave the way for bilateral relations with coalition member states based on respect for Iraqi sovereignty and mutual interests.

Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the date represented a “sovereign milestone” for the Iraqi state based on official understandings and commitments.

He said it would pave the way for Iraq’s relations with coalition countries to transition to bilateral ties based on respect for Iraqi sovereignty and mutual interests.

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Al-Aboudi said Iraq had constitutional, political and diplomatic tools, as well as the ability to manage security through its institutions and armed forces.

“The government is proceeding with completing the termination of the coalition’s military mission according to the agreed timelines and mechanisms, and there will be no change to this course outside the will of the Iraqi state,” he said.

He said Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi has placed Iraqi sovereignty at the forefront of his government’s priorities and designated “Sovereignty Day” to mark the transition to a new phase characterised by full state authority over its territory, unified security decision-making and state control over the instruments of force.

Al-Aboudi added that the government was seeking to consolidate stability and confidence in state institutions to provide a secure investment environment, attract companies and capital, and establish balanced and productive partnerships in line with the state’s priorities and national interests.

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Al-Zaidi said last month that Sept. 30 would be the “fixed and final” deadline for ending the international coalition’s military mission and completing the withdrawal of forces from Iraq.

The US-led international coalition was established in 2014 to fight ISIS (Daesh) after the group seized large areas of Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

Iraq declared victory over ISIS in December 2017 after retaking territory held by the group, while coalition forces remained in the country in an advisory and training role at Baghdad’s request.