Iraq says no US troops left in the country, not even advisers
A member of the Iraqi security forces flashes the victory sign during a military parade marking the withdrawal of the US-led coalition from Iraq, in Baghdad. PHOTO: AFP
Iraq’s prime minister said a day earlier that no US troops were left in the country, including in advisory roles, as Baghdad moved to bring all weapons under state control by next June.
Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the absence of foreign forces had removed the justification armed factions previously cited for retaining their weapons.
He stressed that the government’s decision to restrict weapons to state institutions was final and irreversible.
“By June 30, 2027, there will be no weapons outside the framework of the state,” he said.
Al-Zaidi said the government reached agreements concerning weapons held by three armed factions and is negotiating with four others to complete the process.
“Iraq is a state that has factions, not factions that own a state,” he added.
Read More: US forces exit Iraq after two decades, leaving opening for Iran
Al-Zaidi said Iraq once was only days away from facing international isolation, including the possible departure of foreign embassies and the imposition of restrictions.
He said Western countries had believed that certain armed groups had effectively taken control of the Iraqi state, but his government had managed to overcome the threat.