Al-Sudani Announces Imminent Conclusion of International Coalition Mission in Iraq
Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has confirmed that the end date for the International Coalition's mission in Iraq will be announced soon. This announcement comes as Iraq transitions from a period of wars to one of stability, with the justifications for the coalition's presence considered to have ended.
Iraq's Shift to Stability and Sovereignty
The coalition's mission is part of the government's program, reflecting a shift in focus from military engagement to stability and sovereignty. Al-Sudani has initiated a dialogue with the coalition, involving discussions over the withdrawal process.
U.S. Military Presence and Bilateral Talks
Approximately 2,500 U.S. troops are currently stationed in Iraq as part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. The end of the coalition's mission will not signify a breakdown in relations between Iraq and the U.S. Instead, it marks the beginning of bilateral talks to build sustainable security relationships.
Iraq's Position Post-withdrawal
Iraq respects the choices of the American people and will deal with any administration that gains public confidence. The strategic framework agreement between the two countries will be activated to guide future interactions.
The Role of the Coalition in Iraq's Future
Iraq's move from a period of wars to one of stability signals a new era of self-sufficiency and national sovereignty. The defeat of Daesh/ISIS has been a critical factor in this transition.
Conclusion
The announcement of the end date for the International Coalition's mission in Iraq by Prime Minister Al-Sudani marks a significant milestone in Iraq's journey towards stability and sovereignty.
The move reflects a broader shift in focus from military engagement to sustainable security relationships, particularly with the U.S.
This transition is a testament to Iraq's resilience and its ability to overcome challenges, such as the defeat of Daesh/ISIS, and move towards a future defined by peace and self-determination.
Al-Sudani announces the imminent end of the international coalition mission in Iraq: We will deal with any American president
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Tuesday that the international coalition's mission in Iraq is about to end, while indicating that Iraq will deal with any new American administration.
Al-Sudani said in an interview with the American Bloomberg Channel and Agency: "Iraq is an important country in OPEC and OPEC Plus and is committed to reducing its oil production, and we are committed to OPEC's decisions in a way that maintains oil prices and the equation between the interests of producers and consumers."
He added: "We have two options regarding exporting oil through the port of Ceyhan, either amending the contracts, which was rejected by the companies contracting with the region, or amending the budget law, and this matter requires political consensus."
He continued that "the justifications for the presence of the international coalition in Iraq have ended, and Iraq 2024 is not Iraq 2014," noting that Iraq has shifted from a stage of wars to a stage of stability, and ISIS does not pose a threat to the Iraqi state. Al-Sudani
continued: "We have started a frank dialogue with the international coalition and formed a bilateral committee to arrange the withdrawal of coalition forces, and to announce the end of the coalition forces' mission in Iraq soon," indicating that "the end of the international coalition's mission does not mean the end of the relationship between Iraq and the United States, but rather the opposite, we are engaged in Talks to build sustainable security relations and economic, cultural, social and scientific ties. He added: "We will participate in the international conference of the coalition against the terrorist ISIS." He added: "We respect the choices of the American people in choosing their president and we will deal with any administration," stressing that "Iran supports the political process and Iraq's efforts in combating terrorism." Al-Sudani concluded that "Iraq is the only country in the region that has distinguished relations with Iran and the United States." link
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Money and business Economy News – Baghdad Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stressed that the drop in oil prices to less than $72 confirms the need to diversify the Iraqi economy, while he addressed a message to the Gulf countries regarding the path to development.
Al-Sudani said during a televised interview followed by "Al-Eqtisad News", "The federal administration's budget allows it to pay $8 for every barrel of oil produced, while contracts signed with the Kurdistan Regional Government give companies $26. This stagnation has affected production from the region and led to a delay in the resumption of the pipeline."
Baghdad has been unable to agree on how much to pay international oil companies operating in the north of the country for their production.
We have to look at how we balance these issues. Do we look at the budget to see what we can do or do we try to look at prices?" he added.
“Closing the pipeline, which can carry nearly half a million barrels per day of oil from Kurdistan to the Turkish coast, would cost billions of dollars in lost revenue. However, restarting it would pose a dilemma for Iraq, which has failed to comply with OPEC+ production limits amid dire financial needs but has repeatedly said it will compensate for overproduction,” he said.
Al-Sudani said, "We are committed to abiding by OPEC decisions and maintaining the oil price in a way that achieves a balance between the interests of users and producers."
Pipeline problems
Turkey halted the pipeline in March last year after an arbitration court ordered it to pay Iraq $1.5 billion in compensation for transporting oil through it without Baghdad’s consent. Ankara, which claimed the pipeline was shut for repairs after two massive earthquakes in February, said in October it was ready for operations and that it was up to Iraq to resume flows.
But financial and legal issues have emerged, such as compensating companies for costs. International companies have said they also want to settle their overdue receivables — including $1 billion for oil produced between September 2022 and March 2023.
With exports halted, companies have begun producing some crude and selling it domestically. Iraqi officials have previously said this production has caused problems with compliance with quotas set by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
Iraq’s production cap is 4 million barrels a day, but it produced 4.32 million barrels a day last month, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The country, along with some other OPEC+ members, will gradually lift those limits starting in December.
Al-Sudani is keen to “increase production in the long term after years of war and internal conflict that have affected Iraq’s oil industry. In August, BP signed a preliminary agreement to help boost production from the Kirkuk region. Iraq is also rehabilitating and modernizing damaged refineries to help reduce fuel imports.”
The Prime Minister continued, "Because of the wars and the blockade over the past four decades, Iraq has been late in exploiting the wealth we have of gas and oil properly. Now we are looking at how to exploit the new wealth we have and how to use it effectively."
Diversify the economy
But he said, "The drop in oil prices in London to around $72 a barrel - near their lowest levels since 2021 - underscores the need to diversify the economy."
Iraq is OPEC's largest oil producer after Saudi Arabia and derives the bulk of its revenues from exporting the commodity, and needs much higher prices to balance its budget.
The IMF has long said the country needs to develop its private sector, and that economic progress is being hampered by a huge public sector wage bill, with successive governments not doing enough to curb high wage increases.
Al-Sudani pointed out that "his administration is looking to invest about 40% of Iraq's oil revenues to boost the non-oil sector," adding that "the planned trade corridor extending from Basra Governorate in southern Iraq to Turkey and then to Europe was a 'dream' for his country, and he is looking to the Gulf states to help finance the project, which is supposed to cost $17 billion."
