BAGHDAD: Iraqi leader Mohammed Shia al-Sudani confirmed the timeline of the planned dismantling of a US-led international anti-jihadist coalition, in an interview with an Italian newspaper published Monday.
The prime minister’s comments come as the country finds itself drawn into the conflict in the Middle East, which began with Israeli and US strikes on Iran on February 28.
Pro-Iran armed groups have claimed responsibility for near-daily attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the region, while strikes have also targeted these groups.
The end of the international anti-jihadist coalition’s mission is planned for September 2026 in Iraq, with the drawdown launching in 2024.
The end of the mission is intended to pave the way for bilateral security partnerships with member countries of the alliance, formed in 2014 to fight the extremist Islamic State group.
“We and our allies have now decided to confirm the end of the international coalition, which will take place in September 2026,” Sudani told Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera.
In an earlier version of the story published by the outlet, Sudani said the withdrawal would be accelerated. The online version was later updated.
“Once there are no more foreign military contingents on Iraqi soil, it will be easier to break up the armed factions,” he said, referring to pro-Iran groups in the country.
The presence of foreign troops -- particularly American advisers -- is a long-running point of contention between the government and the pro-Iran armed factions.
Baghdad has demanded a monopoly on weapons and called for the dismantling of the groups’ arsenals, which the factions justify by pointing to the presence of foreign soldiers.
