Iraqi PM: Timeframe for withdrawal of int'l coalition should be set

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
18 Jan 2024 23:02

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Iraqi PM affirms that the international coalition forces stationed in Iraq to allegedly fight ISIS have overstayed their purpose.

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani speaks during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 (AP)

The Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, renewed on Thursday his call for the withdrawal of the international coalition occupying Iraq under the pretext of fighting ISIS, considering that the raison d'etre these foreign forces is no longer valid.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, al-Sudani affirmed that it is necessary to set a specific time frame for the withdrawal of these foreign forces.

He emphasized that concluding the mission of the international coalition is necessary for the security and stability of Iraq, as well as for maintaining healthy bilateral relations between Iraq and the coalition countries.

Al-Sudani emphasized that the arrangement for the conclusion of the mission of the international coalition was the "focus of the visit of a delegation led by the Iraqi Minister of Defense to Washington in August 2023," which led to the formation of a bilateral committee that was supposed to study the "withdrawal of international advisors," but the meetings were halted after October 7th.

Iraq laid out plans for withdrawal of foreign forces: Iraqi PM

Earlier today, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani disclosed the government's comprehensive strategy to terminate the presence of US-led foreign military forces in the country during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"Iraq is still open to cooperation with the coalition member states in the fields of supply of military equipment and training within the framework of bilateral relations," al-Sudani said, underlining that Iraq was willing to maintain collaborative efforts while asserting its sovereignty.

Stoltenberg praised the Iraqi government's commitment to enhancing the security forces' capabilities, particularly in the prosecution of remaining terror group members and the restoration of security and stability. He also expressed NATO's eagerness for expanded joint cooperation with Baghdad in various areas of security.

The move to expel the US gained momentum in Iraq after the assassination of top Iraqi and Iranian anti-terror commanders four years ago following the height of the fight against terror in the region, with the Iraqi parliament adopting a law to expel foreign forces. The targeted drone strike, authorized by then-President Donald Trump, claimed the lives of General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis near the Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020.