Washington to Shafaq News: We are focused on completing the withdrawal of our forces from Iraq by September 30
The US State Department confirmed on Wednesday that the United States is proceeding with the withdrawal of its military forces from Iraq by September 30, while it did not specify its position on a plan under which the process of disarming factions would extend to mid-2027. FinancialNews Reports
A spokesperson for the US State Department, responding to a question from Shafaq News Agency, said that Washington is proceeding according to the transitional schedule agreed upon with Baghdad to end the military operations of the coalition forces in Iraq, and is focused on completing the withdrawal of its forces by September 30, coinciding with the announced end of Operation Inherent Resolve.
He added that the move reflects the growing capabilities of the Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga forces, and represents a new phase in relations between the two countries.
The spokesman reiterated Washington’s support for Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s efforts to extend Iraq’s sovereignty, prevent attacks within or originating from its territory, and build a partnership that serves the interests of both countries, referring to what President Donald Trump announced during his meeting with al-Zaidi at the White House on July 14.
Shafaq News’ question concerned whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been informed of a phased action plan to postpone the complete disarmament of the factions until mid-2027, and whether it believed that this date was consistent with Baghdad’s commitments to restrict weapons to the state.
This comes after al-Zaydi announced, in an interview with the New York Times, a plan that begins with a 90-day deadline, followed by the handover of weapons by the factions, to be completed by June 30, 2027. The Iraqi government had linked accelerating the resolution of the issue to the end of the international coalition’s mission on September 30.
Following a meeting between al-Zaidi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York this week, the US State Department said the two sides agreed on the importance of dismantling what it called “terrorist militias” and preventing attacks from Iraqi territory.
The Prime Minister’s media office said that Al-Zaidi confirmed during the meeting his government’s determination to proceed with measures to restrict weapons to the state.
Shafaq.com