Baghdad Confirms Commitment to Complete US Troop Withdrawal by September 30

Baghdad has reiterated its firm commitment to completing the withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraq by the September 30 deadline. This stance directly challenges recent media reports that indicated a potential scaling down of the military mission and a shift towards a bilateral security framework with the United States.

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it is premature to comment on press reports that are not based on an official US source.

An official Iraqi source stated that reports about the continued presence of US and foreign forces after September are inconsistent with the agreements made between the previous Iraqi government and the US administration. While acknowledging the reports, the source deemed it premature to comment on information not originating from an official US source.

These Iraqi assertions come amidst reports citing an unnamed US official who claimed that US and coalition partners would reduce their military missions by the September 30 deadline. This reduction, according to the official, is in line with President Donald Trump's directives and signifies a transition to a permanent bilateral security partnership, reflecting shared success in fighting ISIS and aligning with US interests, the Iraqi constitution, and the Strategic Framework Agreement.

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the reduction of the mission reflects what they described as a shared success in fighting ISIS. The official noted that it represents a transition toward a permanent bilateral security partnership between Baghdad and Washington, in accordance with US interests, the Iraqi constitution, and the Strategic Framework Agreement between the two countries.

The official clarified that this transition does not signify the end of the international coalition against ISIS but rather a move towards a more traditional bilateral framework. Coordination between the Iraqi government and coalition member states is expected to ensure a smooth transition. Iraq and the US had previously announced a plan in September 2024 to end the coalition's military mission and gradually transition to a bilateral security relationship, with phases scheduled to conclude by September 2026.

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it does not mean the end of the international coalition against ISIS, but rather the transition of its military mission into a more traditional format within a bilateral framework.

Sabah al-Numan, the military spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, described the upcoming September 30 as an "Iraqi celebration," underscoring Baghdad's commitment to the withdrawal timeline. He also noted the government's ongoing efforts to regulate weapons and integrate armed factions into legitimate state institutions. The official Iraqi source emphasized that Iraq no longer requires foreign forces on its territory for any purpose, reaffirming the commitment to agreements with Washington.

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the upcoming September 30 will be like an "Iraqi celebration," confirming Baghdad's commitment to completing the withdrawal of coalition forces on schedule.