Iraq Urges Full Sovereignty, No Foreign Military Presence

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Qassim Al-Araji, the National Security Advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, has lauded the role of resistance groups in confronting American occupiers and stressed the imperative for maintaining Iraq’s complete sovereignty. Al-Araji stated that Iraq must possess full air sovereignty and that no armed foreign military presence should be tolerated on its territory.

The former Iraqi National Security Advisor also commended the contributions of resistance factions in combating American occupation forces, the establishment of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), and the defeat of ISIS terrorism. He affirmed that resistance against American occupation is a legitimate right, with its manifestations evident in Samarra, Fallujah, and Najaf.

Al-Araji recalled that Iraq witnessed the fall of three provinces in 2014, attributing this to the complicity of Al-Qaeda, followed by ISIS, and all adversaries of Iraq. Following this, the PMF was formed under exceptional circumstances as ISIS advanced towards the gates of Baghdad. He specified that the groups resisting the occupation formed the initial nucleus of the PMF to confront ISIS.

Regarding the withdrawal of foreign forces, the Prime Minister’s security advisor confirmed that, as per agreement, the remaining international coalition forces are scheduled to depart Iraq on September 30, 2026. The American side has reportedly reiterated its commitment to implementing this withdrawal agreement. Al-Araji concluded by asserting that targeting resistance groups will not be permitted.

Previously, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaydi had declared that the termination date for the international coalition’s mission in Iraq, set for September 30, would be definitive and irreversible. The Iraqi government has also prioritized a plan to monopolize weapons, designating September 2026 as the final deadline for arms surrender.