PM signals closing of US-led coalition’s mission in Iraq
The Iraqi government is establishing a committee to facilitate the closure of the U.S.-led international coalition’s mission in the country, as announced by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s office on Friday. This statement follows a U.S. strike in Baghdad that resulted in the death of a militia leader, causing outrage among Iran-aligned groups. These groups demanded the government terminate the presence of the coalition in Iraq.
In response to the strike, the military spokesperson for Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani criticized it, labeling it an “unjustified attack on an Iraqi security entity” operating with Sudani’s authorization. Sudani, who relies on the support of some Iran-backed factions within his governing coalition, has limited control over them.
The U.S. military stated that the strike targeted a leader of an Iranian proxy group responsible for attacks against U.S. personnel. Iraqi militia commanders pledged retaliation for Thursday’s strike, with one commander, Abu Aqeel al-Moussawi, vowing to make the Americans regret their actions.
US stay coming to an end
The prime minister’s office issued a statement indicating that the government is scheduling the formation of a bilateral committee to make arrangements for the permanent withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraq. This committee is expected to include representatives from the military coalition.
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The U.S. military justified Thursday’s strike as a response to recent attacks on U.S. personnel. The United States currently has 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq, with a mission focused on advising and assisting local forces in preventing the resurgence of the Islamic State.
Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq and Syria oppose Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and attribute partial responsibility to the U.S. Sudani reiterated his firm position on ending the existence of the international coalition, stating that its justifications have come to an end.