Iraqi Prime Minister: Sovereignty Realized with Withdrawal of Foreign Troops from Iraq

Baghdad, Jan 10 (KUNA) – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Idi said on Thursday that the sovereignty celebrated by his country is embodied in the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraqi territory and the advancement of efforts to address the weapons file outside the framework of the state. Al-Idi made these remarks in a speech at the “Sovereignty Day” conference, attended by Iraqi Parliament Speaker Hiba al-Halbousi, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, leaders of various political forces, and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Iraq.

In his address, Al-Idi stated that the sovereignty Iraq has regained today is reflected in a series of national realities, completed through several steps, foremost among which are the withdrawal of foreign forces and the full termination of the international coalition’s mission in Iraq. He noted that sovereignty is also manifested in the unification of Kurdish Peshmerga forces, which strengthens unity in security and military decision-making, and in regulating the weapons file in accordance with the constitution and the law, according to the agreed timeline for addressing the status of various factions and integrating them into state institutions. He also highlighted the commencement of building an integrated national air defense system.

“We today announce the launch of the sovereignty phase, which is protected by the state, guaranteed by law, and built by all Iraqis,” he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Ali al-Idi announced a roadmap that sets June 30, 2027, as the deadline for ending the monopoly of weapons by the Iraqi state. (End)