**Baghdad** — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced on Wednesday that September 30 remains the firm deadline for ending the US-led coalition’s military mission in Iraq and completing the withdrawal of its troops.
Al-Zaidi communicated the timeline during a meeting in Baghdad with the visiting Commander of U.S. Central Command, Brad Cooper. According to a statement released by the prime minister’s media office, both sides affirmed their full and final agreement to conclude the coalition’s military mission, following a consensus reached during al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington in mid-July.
Al-Zaidi stated that October 1 will mark a new era for Iraq, designating it as the date the country becomes free of foreign military presence and exercises full national sovereignty over its territory. He added that confining arms exclusively to state authority, in accordance with the law, is an essential prerequisite for safeguarding Iraq’s sovereignty, stability, and future development.
The U.S.-led coalition was originally formed and deployed forces to Iraq in 2014 after the Islamic State group seized vast territories across the country’s west and north.
Concurrently, Al Jazeera reported Wednesday, citing an Iraqi source, that Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, made an unannounced visit to Baghdad earlier in the week. According to the report, Qaani held behind-the-scenes meetings with political and security leaders, as well as commanders of Shia paramilitaries, to discuss the Iraqi government’s plan to disarm armed groups.
Article and image source: iraqsun.com
