BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON – Tensions between Iraq and the US escalated on Friday as Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced plans to dismantle the US-led international military coalition’s mission in Iraq. This comes after a recent US airstrike killed an Iran-backed militia leader, triggering outrage and demands from Iran-aligned groups to expel US troops.
Sudani’s office confirmed the formation of a bilateral committee tasked with “putting arrangements to end the presence of the international coalition forces in Iraq permanently.” This move marks a significant shift in Iraq’s stance, potentially severing a long-standing partnership forged in the fight against Islamic State (ISIS).
The announcement follows Thursday’s US strike targeting Mushtaq Jawad Kazim al-Jawari, whom the Pentagon identified as a leader of an Iran-backed group responsible for attacks on American personnel. This retaliatory action fueled the already simmering tensions between the two nations.
While citing the “ending justification for its existence,” Sudani’s decision appears driven by both internal political pressures and a desire to appease powerful Shi’ite parties with close ties to Iran. These parties, instrumental in Sudani’s rise to power, have long advocated for removing US forces from Iraqi soil.
The US, however, remains hesitant about a full withdrawal. With 2,500 troops stationed in Iraq, the US maintains its commitment to assisting local forces in preventing an ISIS resurgence. Major General Patrick Ryder, a US military spokesperson, reiterated this stance on Thursday, calling Iraq a “valued partner” in the fight against ISIS.