Military Bases Will Be Taken Over by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense After the International Coalition Completes Its Mission in Iraq

Iraq's Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief spokesman Sabah al-Numani said the withdrawal of the US-led International Coalition forces from the country will be completed on September 30. In a statement to state television al-Iraqiyya, al-Numani said the withdrawal process is being carried out in coordination with the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces according to the set timetable. He noted that German forces serving within the coalition have completed their withdrawal preparations from Erbil, and that the Iraqi army is overseeing the ground and air movement operations. The areas used by German forces at Erbil Airport will be handed over to the airport's management, while other military positions will be handed over to the Peshmerga forces, al-Numani said.

Military bases will be taken over by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense after the International Coalition completes its mission. Al-Numani highlighted that the coalition's withdrawal will be completed on September 30, and noted that Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali al-Zeydi has ordered the formation of a committee to determine the nature of relations with coalition countries after that date. Future relations with coalition countries will be based on continued coordination and cooperation, particularly in intelligence, information exchange, and arms programs, he emphasized.

In previous statements, al-Zeydi had said the International Coalition's mission in Iraq would end on September 30, calling the date final and unchangeable. The coalition has been operating in Iraq since 2014, when it was formed to combat the Islamic State group.