Iraq declares conclusion of US-led mission, thanks member states

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and senior officials during a an official event held in Baghdad to mark Iraq’s Sovereignty Day, a national holiday marking the withdrawal of US and international coalition forces from Iraq. Photo: PMO Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali al-Zaidi, announced on Wednesday the conclusion of the US-led international coalition’s mission to combat ISIS in Iraq. According to a statement released by the Iraqi government, al-Zaidi thanked the international coalition’s member states for their participation in defeating the terrorist group ISIS. Al-Zaidi’s remarks took place during an official military event held in Baghdad to mark Iraq’s Sovereignty Day, a national holiday marking the withdrawal of US and international coalition forces from Iraq. The event marked the formal conclusion of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, following the complete withdrawal of coalition forces and equipment from key military bases in Iraq. Al-Zaidi thanked the international coalition’s member states, commanders, and advisers, stating that collaboration has effectively overcome a difficult period of extremism. The handover is an indication of Iraq’s full responsibility for the security and stability of the country, as well as combating terrorism. Addressing armed factions, al-Zaidi declared that there shall be no firearms outside the framework of the law and no force outside the institutions of the state. The Iraqi prime minister said earlier that October 1, 2026, will mark a new day in Iraq’s statehood when the country achieves complete sovereignty free of foreign troops. Iraq’s future engagements with the international coalition’s member nations will center on direct security, economic, and specialized training cooperation based on mutual respect. The international coalition was first formed in 2014 to combat the emergence of the terrorist group ISIS. After Iraq declared the defeat of ISIS in 2017, international coalition forces continued to offer assistance and training services at Baghdad’s request.