Iraq calls Sept. 30 coalition withdrawal a ‘historic transformation’
U.S. Army’s senior enlisted advisor of Task Force Nighthawk sits at the ramp of a Boeing CH-47 Chinook while being transported to Erbil Air Base, Iraq, following the joint U.S.-German Schützenschnur, Jan 9, 2026. (Photo via U.S. Army)
August 23, 2026 04:00 AM GMT+03:00
Iraq said Saturday that the Sept. 30 withdrawal of international coalition forces will represent a “strategic milestone and historic transformation” for the country.
Sabah al-Numan, spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, said the date would mark “the culmination of a long period of sacrifices and a major shift in Iraq’s sovereignty and stability,” according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
“The selection of this date for the withdrawal of coalition forces and the end of their mission was not an arbitrary decision,” Numan said.
He said the decision was based on the readiness of Iraq’s armed forces and security agencies, which he said had demonstrated their ability to control territory, counter threats and manage the country’s national security “completely independently.”
Numan said Iraq had shown its ability to defeat terrorist groups and prevent the spread of terrorism in the region and beyond.
He added that the completion of the withdrawal would open a new chapter in Iraq’s relations with other countries, including security, economic and training partnerships based on mutual respect, shared interests and Iraqi sovereignty.
An Iraqi army armoured humvee vehicle is deployed near the banks of the Tigris River to protect the US Embassy headquarters (R) in Baghdad’s fortified “Green Zone” on March 18, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Sept. 30 set as final date
The statement came after Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said Aug. 12 that Sept. 30 was the deadline for ending the international coalition’s military mission and completing the withdrawal of its forces.
“Oct. 1 would mark a new day in Iraq’s statehood,” Zaidi said during a meeting with U.S. Central Command Commander Gen. Brad Cooper.
He said Iraq would be free of any foreign military presence after the withdrawal.
The two sides affirmed their agreement to end the coalition’s military mission, while Iraqi-U.S. relations would shift toward economic and security cooperation based on mutual respect for sovereignty and shared interests.
The U.S.-led international coalition was established in 2014 to fight Daesh after the terrorist group seized large areas of Iraq and neighboring Syria.
Iraq declared military victory over Daesh in December 2017 after retaking territory held by the terrorist group.
Coalition forces remained in the country in an advisory and training role at Baghdad’s request.
August 23, 2026 04:01 AM GMT+03:00