Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Commander of German Forces Deployed Abroad, Gunter Schneider, met on Monday in Baghdad to organize the US-led international coalition forces’ imminent withdrawal from Iraq.
The meeting addressed strategies to strengthen bilateral relations between Iraq and Germany in the military and security fields through initiatives aiming to improve the performance of the Iraqi armed forces, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The prime minister stressed the need to develop broader partnerships with the international coalition’s member countries. He praised Germany for aiding Iraq in its battle against terrorism, notably during the confrontation with ISIS.
Al-Zaidi said earlier that the military mission of the international coalition will expire on September 30, 2026, and that the decision is final and irreversible.
The prime minister underscored that October 1 will bring in a new period of total Iraqi independence and full territorial sovereignty, with no foreign military presence.
Iraq’s future interactions with the international coalition’s member states will focus on direct security, economic, and specialized training cooperation based on mutual respect.
The international coalition was first formed in 2014 to combat the emergence of the terrorist group ISIS.
After Iraq declared military victory over ISIS in 2017, international coalition forces continued to provide advice and training services at Baghdad’s request.
The official withdrawal of the international coalition follows a bilateral arrangement agreed upon by Baghdad and Washington.