Iraqi PM Says ‘Timetable Set’ to End Presence of US-Led Coalition

The Iraqi premier is set to visit the US capital in the coming days, where he will discuss the future of security and defense ties between the two countries

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, in a column written for Foreign Affairs magazine, says that the joint US–Iraqi Supreme Military Committee has agreed on a timetable to “end” the presence of the US-led international coalition in the country.

“In late January, we formed the High Military Committee, composed of top military officials from both the United States and Iraq, to assess the ongoing threat of [ISIS], the capabilities of the Iraqi security services, and operational conditions throughout the country,” Sudani writes.

“That effort has led to an agreement among all stakeholders to end the international coalition in a gradual and orderly manner on an agreed timetable … Going forward, the High Military Committee will develop a road map for future relations, including the presence of US advisers,” the premier adds, highlighting that the move does not mark a “downgrade” in Iraq–US ties, but rather a “new phase … that goes beyond just security and military affairs.”

Sudani stressed the “delicate balance” Baghdad must achieve between the US and resistance factions that form the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), who “sometimes enter into direct conflict with American forces.”

He also reiterated that ISIS no longer poses a significant threat to Iraq, a claim that Washington has perpetuated to justify their heavy military presence in the country.

“Now, only small ISIS groups remain; they are being pursued by our security forces, across deserts and mountains and into caves, but they no longer pose a threat to the state,” Sudani says, adding that Baghdad needs to redirect resources “from waging wars toward promoting development.”

“Ultimate victory over terrorism is unattainable without genuine development, including a decent standard of health care, education, and other essential services,” the Iraqi premier writes.

Sudani says that a transformation of US–Iraq relations... will also allow Baghdad to pursue the guiding principle of its foreign relations, which he called “Iraq first," stressing that his government seeks to “approach every country on equal terms, so that Iraq does not become an arena for any outside actor to settle scores.”

Such a transformation would also allow Iraq to “work with the United States to defuse crises,” Sudani adds, highlighting that a “comprehensive de-escalation” in West Asia currently hinges on “urgently ending the war in the Gaza Strip and respecting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”...

🔗Source: The Cradle

Related: 3/1 — Ex-ISIS chief Appointed as Commander of US-Backed Militia in Syria

2/8 — Iraq Threatens to Expel U.S. Troops After Strike in Baghdad

2/7 — Iraq Says 'No Contact' With US After Latest Attack

2/4 — ISIS Exploits US Strikes To Attack Iraqi Forces In Anbar

2/3 — Iraqi Government Accuses U.S. of Lying About Circumstances of Airstrikes, Violating International Law

1/22 — US Troops in Iraq Are a Tripwire for War With Iran

1/16 — US to Send 1,500 Troops to Syria and Iraq

1/10 — Iraq Wants ‘Orderly’ Withdrawal Of ‘Destabilizing’ US Troops: PM

1/9 — Washington Has 'No Plans' to Withdraw From Iraq

8/9 — Business Insider: Russia and Iran Supporting Syria 'To Push US Forces Out In a Coercive and Systematic Effort'

7/26 — The End of The PetroDollar, The Rise of BRICS is Here

The real question is why should the sovereign country of Iraq ... have to beg the US permission to conduct business with its neighbor that is in its own interest?

Somewhere in the answer to that question, is the prime reason for why BRICS is rising.

...7/25/23 — Washington Names Itself ‘Custodian’ of Iraqi Debt Payments to Iran via Oman

And thus, its no wonder the global south is breaking away from US control, when it so often overrides their own interests[and sovereignty]

Substack | Twitter | Minds

📡 Follow:
@G3News