Shafaq News/ The international coalition officially announced on Friday the end of its mission in Iraq within 12 months, in a joint statement with Iraq, indicating that the announcement of the timetable for the end of the military mission of the international coalition after the defeat of ISIS in Iraq.
This official announcement comes as a confirmation of what was published by Shafaq News Agency last Saturday, where a senior Iraqi officer revealed that the international coalition forces had begun special procedures in preparation for withdrawing from the capital, Baghdad.
The senior officer explained to Shafaq News Agency that these measures include sites in the Green Zone and joint operations, within a context that is expected to actually end in the middle of next year, with the move to an alternative site in the Kurdistan Region according to initial information.
The officer indicated that the actual evacuation will take place in the middle of next year 2025 or shortly before, and it is scheduled to take place from the Green Zone and joint operations sites.
In a statement by the governments of the United States and Iraq, seen by Shafaq News Agency, it said: “Iraq and the United States of America are linked by a strategic relationship, and as a result of consultations and discussions with the leadership of the international coalition to defeat ISIS and friendly member states, and intensive discussions within the US-Iraq Supreme Military Committee, which worked diligently and professionally in intensive meetings over the past nine months.”
He continued: “After studying and evaluating the military and security situation in Iraq and the region, it announces the conclusion of the coalition’s military mission in Iraq over the next twelve months, and no later than the end of September 2025, and the transition to bilateral security partnerships in a way that supports Iraqi forces and maintains pressure on ISIS.”
The statement pointed out that “Iraq is a key member of the coalition, and to prevent the return of the terrorist organization ISIS from northeastern Syria, and in accordance with field conditions and consultations between Iraq, the United States, and coalition members, the coalition’s military mission operating in Syria from a specific platform in the Supreme Military Committee will continue until September 2026.”
He explained that “the Supreme Military Authority is committed to formulating the necessary procedures to achieve what is mentioned in the above paragraphs, and the timing and mechanisms for implementing them, including procedures to ensure the physical protection of coalition advisors present in Iraq during the crisis period, in accordance with the Iraqi constitution and laws. Practical steps have begun to implement these obligations.”
He pointed out that “Iraq thanks the coalition for the support and assistance it provided to the Iraqi security forces to confront this common threat and secure the defeat of ISIS on the ground in Iraq. At the forefront of these countries was the United States of America, which stood with Iraq in difficult circumstances. The coalition appreciates the role of Iraq and the great sacrifices made by all Iraqi security forces in fighting this terrorist organization that posed a threat to the entire world, and stresses the need to continue all efforts to ensure that the threat from this terrorist organization does not return in any form.”
“We look forward to strengthening relations between Iraq and the United States, as both countries seek to enhance security assistance and cooperation based on mutual respect, consistent with the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement and the Iraqi Constitution, and to advance an enduring bilateral partnership consistent with the U.S.-Iraq Joint Statement issued during Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s visit to Washington, D.C., on April 15-16, 2024, and the U.S.-Iraq Joint Statement following the Second Iraq-Israel Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue held in Washington, D.C., on July 22-23, 2024,” he continued.
He explained that “this historic shift marks a decade since the formation of the coalition military mission in Iraq, and Iraq continues to work with the United States and other members of the coalition to establish bilateral security relationships where appropriate.”
He concluded by saying: “In the context of enhancing the safe and orderly conclusion of the international coalition’s military mission, the Government of Iraq affirms its commitment, in line with its international obligations, to protect international advisers present in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government.”
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