US-Led Coalition Completes Military Mission in Iraq
BAGHDAD: The US-led international coalition is completing its military mission in Iraq after more than a decade of operations against the Islamic State (IS), marking a significant change in the country’s security landscape.
The coalition was deployed to Iraq and Syria in 2014 after IS captured large areas of both countries and carried out widespread attacks and atrocities.
Iraqi forces, supported by the coalition, defeated IS in Iraq in 2017. The group was later defeated territorially in Syria in 2019, although coalition forces remained in the region to counter remaining militants.
Troop Withdrawal
Iraq and the United States agreed in 2024 to gradually end the coalition’s mission. International forces subsequently reduced their presence at bases across Iraq, with the remaining deployment eventually concentrated in the autonomous Kurdistan region.
The final withdrawal from the region is scheduled for Wednesday.
The Iraqi government has welcomed the departure, arguing that the end of the coalition mission could help address the issue of armed groups operating outside direct state control.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said October 1 would be observed as “Sovereignty Day” to mark the completion of the coalition’s departure.
The heads of Iraq’s executive, legislative and judicial branches said the occasion would reinforce the authority of state institutions and the country’s sovereignty.
They also stressed the need to address weapons held outside state control according to government plans and timelines.
Debate Over Armed Groups
Zaidi’s government has pledged to strengthen state control over weapons and encourage armed factions to place their arms under government authority.
The government had initially set September 30 as a deadline for armed groups to disarm but later withdrew the deadline as negotiations continued over how weapons would be brought under state control.
Several influential factions have resisted disarmament and have called for broader conditions, including an end to foreign military and political influence in Iraq.
Kataeb Hezbollah said the departure of foreign forces was an important step toward what it described as full national sovereignty. However, the group also warned the government that it could face consequences if it failed to serve the interests of the Iraqi people.
Tensions With US Forces
During the fight against IS, US-led coalition troops and several Iraqi armed factions fought the militant group as a common enemy.
Relations became more strained after IS lost control of its territory. Some armed groups demanded the departure of US forces and launched drone and missile attacks against coalition personnel and facilities.
The United States responded with retaliatory strikes on several occasions, resulting in the deaths of commanders and members of armed factions.
With the coalition mission now ending, Iraq faces the challenge of maintaining security while continuing efforts to bring all weapons and armed groups under the authority of the state.
