Al-Sudani stresses the end of the international coalition’s presence in Iraq and warns of dire conse

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[size=52]Al-Sudani stresses the end of the international coalition’s presence in Iraq and warns of dire consequences[/size]

[size=45]Translated by: Hamed Ahmed[/size]
[size=45]While analysts and observers pointed out that Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani’s call to remove the coalition forces from Iraq was not realistic in nature and that it came under pressure from political parties, military officials stated that the Iraqi forces still need to support the coalition against terrorism, especially in the field of efforts. Intelligence.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Sudani’s call came on Friday of last week, a day after an American drone attack caused the killing of a leader in the crowd in the center of the capital, Baghdad. This generated anger at the governmental and local levels, and under pressure from political parties, Al-Sudani pledged to put an end to the presence of the US-led coalition forces, which It was formed in 2014 to fight and defeat ISIS.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Sudani said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, “The government is in the process of setting a date to begin forming a bilateral committee to make arrangements to permanently end the presence of international coalition forces in Iraq.”[/size]
[size=45]On the other hand, the rush to remove American forces has raised fears and concerns regarding the security, economic, and political consequences of this trend.[/size]
[size=45]Analyst and head of the Center for Political Thinking in Baghdad, Ihsan Al-Shammari, told the “The National” news website: “In light of the challenges facing the Iraqi state, especially in the security aspect, I believe that this move is not realistic. Al-Sudani’s statements came in response to increasing pressure from members of the framework.” Coordination.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Shammari adds, “The Prime Minister is well aware that the coalition’s withdrawal or even entering into negotiations regarding the withdrawal of its forces may lead to political, security, and economic consequences.”[/size]
[size=45]On the other hand, a high-ranking Iraqi military official said that the Iraqi security forces still need the support of American forces.[/size]
[size=45]The official said in an interview with “The National” website, “This issue cannot be solved and resolved quickly and easily. It is not an issue of the desire of this or that party. Rather, it first requires an in-depth internal discussion to reach a decision that we can reach about the nature and form of cooperation that we need.” “[/size]
[size=45]The military official added, “We all agree that ISIS has ended and no longer has the capacity it had in 2014, but its remnants, cells, and ideology still exist,” indicating that “the security forces need the support of the American forces, especially in the field of exchanging security information.” As for the military establishment, the presence of coalition forces is considered vital in the field of training, providing advice, as well as arming and drawing up plans in some operations against the remnants of ISIS, especially in the field of air strikes.”[/size]
[size=45]He goes on to say: “According to our opinion, if we decide to go towards withdrawal plans, we will need a gradual separation process for a period that may take at least three years in order to prepare ourselves, as any sudden and hasty departure may lead to confusion in the efforts currently underway to strengthen and enhance the Iraqi army.”[/size]
[size=45]Bilgay Duman, a specialist in Iraqi affairs from the Center for Middle East Studies in Turkey, told the “Jina Daily” news website, “The Sudanese appears to have strategic steadfastness in facing such challenges and overcoming them, especially since the controversy over the issue of removing foreign forces from the country is not a new matter.” Pointing out that “his predecessor, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, had faced the same pressures during the joint strategic dialogue discussions with the American side since July 2021, and the discussions led to the formation of the Supreme Iraqi-American Coordination Committee in February 2023.” Researcher Doman added, “It is possible to prepare for these discussions quickly, but it seems unlikely that there will be a withdrawal quickly or soon.”[/size]
[size=45]Doman said that the Sudanese government, which has been in power for more than a year, has achieved a certain degree of stability in the country, better than it was in previous periods, and Iraq is trying to chart a position for itself as a balancing force in the Middle East region.[/size]
[size=45]American forces had been stationed in Iraq since the overthrow of the previous regime in 2003, and the number of its forces reached a peak in 2007 at more than 170,000 soldiers. They withdrew from Iraq in 2011, only to return again after ISIS invaded large areas of Iraq within the forces of the international coalition to combat ISIS and after the overthrow of the organization. When Iraq declared victory over it in 2017, the United States reduced its forces from 5,000 to 2,500 soldiers within the international coalition mission and transformed its tasks from combat tasks to training, support and advice tasks.[/size]
[size=45]Despite repeated pressure to withdraw forces since the defeat of ISIS, the Pentagon announced Monday that it currently has no plans to withdraw.[/size]
[size=45]Pentagon spokesman General Patrick Ryder said during a press conference in Washington, “Currently, I am not aware of any plans for withdrawal. We are still continuing our mission to focus our efforts on defeating ISIS,” noting that he is “not aware of any notification from Baghdad to the Pentagon regarding The decision to withdraw American forces.” Al-Sudani also said in an interview with Reuters, followed by Al-Mada, “We are open to establishing bilateral relations and engaging in security cooperation with coalition countries, including the United States, and this may include training and advising the Iraqi security forces, as well as purchasing weapons.”[/size]
[size=45]The Prime Minister added, “Ending the presence of the international coalition will prevent further tensions and the entanglement of internal and regional security issues.”[/size]
[size=45]He stressed his desire for a “rapid exit of American forces from Iraqi territory,” indicating that “there is a real need to reorganize the relationship with the international coalition so that it is not a goal or justification for any party, whether internal or external, to tamper with stability in Iraq and the region.”[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out, “The actions of the American army in Iraq lead to destabilization, and attacks by Iraqi factions on American forces provoke American retaliation.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Sudani pointed out, “Iraq can defend itself against terrorism, and should exercise full sovereignty over its land and skies, and thus we avoid giving anyone an excuse to drag our country into a regional conflict.”[/size]
[size=45]He stated, “The presence of coalition forces is destabilizing in light of the regional repercussions of the Gaza war,” noting, “The exit of American forces must take place through negotiation.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Sudani explained, “The continuation of the war on Gaza increases the risk of regional escalation,” noting that “Iraq is capable of defending itself.”[/size]
[size=45]From: National News, Jaina Daily and Reuters[/size]
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