Iraq To End Presence Of US-Led Coalition Forces In Country, Says Iraqi PM (Image: X @mohamedshia)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said on Thursday that Iraq”s government is working on bringing an end to the presence of foreign troops from the US-led coalition in the country. Mohammed Shia al-Sudani made this crucial announcement following a rise in attacks between the US military and Iran-backed Shiite militias. This includes air strikes on three militia bases in central Iraq.
Notably, the Iran-backed militias have been launching attacks against US troops in Iraq and neighbouring Syria with drones and missiles. However, the United States military has retaliated with air strikes, which have killed 16 militiamen so far. Earlier, the Joe Biden-led US administration ordered the US military to carry out retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian-backed militia groups. The US President made this decision after three US service members were injured in northern Iraq in a drone attack. Adrienne Watson, US National Security Council spokesperson, said that one of the US troops suffered critical injuries in the attack.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi government denounced the attacks by the militias as “terrorist acts.” They also criticised US attacks as an “infringement to Iraqi sovereignty.” The Iraqi Prime Minister said that they are in the “process of reorganising this relationship.” Mohammed Shia al-Sudani made these statements during a press conference in Baghdad, along with Spain”s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The Iraqi PM said that the government is heading towards ending the presence of international coalition forces in the country with the presence of Iraqi forces.
The Iraqi Prime Minister also pointed out that foreign forces must stick to their role of training and advising Iraqi security forces. He also added that foreign forces engaging in military operations beyond these limits are viewed as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. It is worth mentioning that Spain”s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, said that they will support the sovereignty and stability of Iraq. Meanwhile, the US says that they are responding in self-defense. The US led an international coalition to invade Iraq in 2003 and later withdrew from the country. However, foreign combat troops returned in 2014 to fight against ISIS. After the defeat of ISIS, the US started to reduce the number of its troops in Iraq in 2017.
