Coalition forces are in the process of withdrawing from Iraq, including the Kurdish region, and are on track to finalize their exit by the end of September. This information was confirmed by Rebar Ahmed Khalid, the Interior Minister of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), during a recent event in Erbil focused on migration issues.
Details of the Withdrawal
According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the withdrawal has already commenced, with coalition personnel being transported out of the country on a daily basis. Khalid emphasized the need for collaboration among various stakeholders to ensure Iraq’s ongoing security and stability. This includes working in tandem with both the federal government in Baghdad and the KRG authorities in Erbil.
He pointed out that there is a strong coordination between Iraq’s security forces and the Kurdish region’s security agencies. This cooperative effort is essential for managing the transition and maintaining peace in the area following the departure of coalition troops.
Agreement and Timeline
The withdrawal is a result of a strategic agreement reached between Baghdad and Washington in September 2024. This agreement aims to shift from a US-led military mission to direct bilateral security relations with other member countries. The second and final phase of this withdrawal is set to conclude by September 30.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has firmly stated that the September 30 deadline is non-negotiable and he has rejected any suggestion to keep coalition forces beyond that timeline. This clear stance signifies Iraq’s intent to take definitive control of its security landscape without external military presence.
Specific Cases of Withdrawal
Notably, German forces successfully wrapped up their military operations in Iraq’s Kurdish region by late August. Subsequently, sites that were previously utilized by German troops, including locations at Erbil International Airport, are being transferred back to the airport authorities. This marks an important step in the overall process, illustrating a shift back to local governance and security oversight.
The US-led coalition was initially formed in 2014 in response to the rise of ISIS (Daesh), which had seized control of substantial territories in Iraq and Syria. Although Iraq proclaimed military victory against ISIS in December 2017, the remnants of the group have since continued to conduct intermittent attacks, revealing that challenges to security still exist in the region.
In conclusion, the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq marks a significant turning point in the country’s approach to security and governance. It underscores the responsibilities of the Iraqi government and Kurdish authorities as they navigate the complexities of maintaining stability in a post-coalition environment. As these changes unfold, the focus will increasingly shift to building robust internal security capabilities and fostering cooperation between various political and military entities within Iraq.