Iraq Officially Announces End of Coalition Mission
Baghdad (Agencies): Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Idabi announced yesterday the conclusion of the international coalition’s mission to combat the “Daesh” terrorist organization in Iraq, affirming that the country has entered a phase in which it assumes full responsibility for its own security and stability, and that “no weapon exists outside the umbrella of the law, and no force operates outside state institutions.”
The announcement came during ceremonies held in Baghdad on the occasion of “Sovereignty Day,” attended by the commander of coalition forces and leaders of various Iraqi military branches and security formations.
In his speech, al-Idabi said, “The conclusion of the international coalition’s mission against ‘Daesh’ in Iraq proves that cooperation between friendly forces and friendly peoples has yielded victory over one of the darkest chapters of extremism and brutality in history.” He added, “Our people’s surge of support alongside our armed forces marked the beginning of a phase in which our forces reorganized their command systems, managed to mobilize resources, unify efforts, and seize the initiative. Friendly countries also extended a helping hand to Iraq during that decisive confrontation, and our armed forces successfully reorganized their ranks and equipped themselves.”
He emphasized that “the conclusion of the international coalition’s mission does not mean the end of our fight against terrorism, but rather marks Iraq’s transition to a phase in which it assumes full responsibility for its security and stability.”
For its part, the international coalition stated that there was no justification for the continued presence of armed groups in light of its withdrawal from the country. In a statement, the coalition said, “Our mission has been completed, and the final withdrawal operation took place from Erbil,” noting that “the relationship between coalition armies will move to another phase of cooperation.”
Earlier yesterday morning, the US Department of Defense (“Pentagon”) announced that the United States and its partners in the international coalition had officially concluded Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.
Iraq entered a new security and political phase yesterday with the completion of the withdrawal of US military units from their bases in the country, marking the end of Washington’s combat military presence in Iraq after 23 years since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime.
The US had effectively withdrawn in 2011 as an occupying force before returning in 2014 at the formal request of the Iraqi government, following the advance of “Daesh” across large swathes of northern and western Iraq, which led to the formation of the US-led international coalition against terrorism.
For his part, Saad Maan, head of the Iraqi Security Media Cell, said, “Iraq is completely free of any foreign force; there is no soldier, no fighter, under any label whatsoever.” He considered that “Sovereignty Day represents a new page in Iraq’s relations with countries around the world, based on shared interests in accordance with Iraq’s vision and the interests of its people.”
Maan stressed that “there is no room for any concessions at the expense of Iraq’s national and pan-Arab security, and that the rule of law will be applied firmly and without exception against anyone attempting to commit any violation or breach of security.”
