Baghdad Begins New Phase of Bilateral Security Relations
Iraq has announced the end of the U.S.-led international coalition’s mission in the country, marking a new phase in Baghdad’s security and diplomatic relationship with coalition member states.
Iraqi Prime Minister’s Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji described the development as an “important milestone”, saying it followed negotiations and understandings that began in July 2021.
The announcement comes as U.S. forces complete their withdrawal from their remaining positions in Iraq by the end of September, bringing the coalition’s military mission in the country to an end.
Al-Araji said the conclusion of the coalition mission would be followed by a new framework centred on bilateral relations with individual coalition member states.
He emphasized that the end of the coalition mission does not mean the end of cooperation between Iraq and its international partners.
“The end of the coalition’s mission does not mean the end of the partnership,” Al-Araji said, describing the transition as a move toward bilateral relations with coalition member states.
The Iraqi government has presented the change as part of efforts to consolidate the country’s sovereignty while maintaining security cooperation and diplomatic ties with international partners.
The transition follows several years of discussions over the future role of foreign forces in Iraq. The negotiations that began in 2021 were aimed at determining how international military involvement could evolve as Iraqi security forces assumed greater responsibility for the country’s security.
Under the new arrangement, cooperation can continue through direct agreements between Iraq and individual countries rather than through the multinational coalition framework.
The development comes amid wider changes in the Middle East, where governments are reassessing foreign military deployments, regional security partnerships and national sovereignty.
For Baghdad, the transition represents a significant change in the structure of its relationship with the international coalition while leaving room for continued cooperation in areas including security, defence and counterterrorism.
