Iraq Enters Crucial Phase as US Coalition Mission Concludes

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Iraq is navigating a pivotal juncture as the mission and presence of the US-led coalition forces in the country draw to a close. Qassem al-Araj, Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Iraq, emphasized that this ending does not signify the cessation of bilateral engagement with the coalition. Security and intelligence cooperation is slated to persist, founded on the principle of mutual respect.

Al-Araj attributed the victory against ISIS to the sacrifices of the Iraqi people and its armed forces, alongside the support extended by the international coalition and friendly nations. Previously, The Wall Street Journal, citing a US Department of Defense official, reported that the United States was on the cusp of formally concluding its military operations in Iraq. Despite the formal military mission’s end, Washington intends to maintain certain intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities within Iraq.

American officials also indicated that a number of US Marines would remain in Iraq to provide security for US diplomatic missions and facilities. The Wall Street Journal further reported, based on statements from American officials, that a US Patriot missile system previously stationed near Erbil had been withdrawn from Iraq. The conclusion of the US military mission in Iraq is unfolding within the framework of an agreement between Baghdad and Washington, with the US-led international coalition’s mission in Iraq scheduled to terminate by September 30, 2026.