Iraq: September 30 is the deadline for US troop withdrawal
On Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi told US Central Command chief Brad Cooper that 30 September remains a firm deadline for ending the US led coalition's military mission in Iraq and withdrawing troops. When a country that has lived under the shadow of foreign military presence for more than a decade sets a date for the beginning of its own path, it is not just a calendar mark – it is a claim to sovereignty. Iraq, whose modern history is inextricably linked to foreign interventions, from the 2003 invasion to the fight against ISIS, today declares: the time of foreign armies on our land is running out.
Prime Minister al Zaidi, confirming the agreements reached in Washington, makes it clear that 1 October will mark the beginning of a new era, when Baghdad will take responsibility for its own security into its own hands. But behind this statement lies not only political will but also the complex process of disarming armed groups, as evidenced by the recent visits of Iranian General Qaani to Baghdad. Iraq is balancing between allies and internal forces, and every step on this path could change the balance of power across the region.
At the meeting in Baghdad, both sides confirmed their full and final agreement on ending the coalition's military mission in line with the consensus reached during al Zaidi's visit to Washington in mid July, al Zaidi's press office said in a statement. Al Zaidi said that 1 October would mark a new era for Iraq, as the country would be free of foreign military presence and exercise full national sovereignty over its territory, the statement said. He also noted that restricting arms exclusively to state authority in accordance with the law remains a crucial condition for protecting Iraq's sovereignty, stability and future development.
In 2014, ISIS seized large areas in western and northern Iraq. Subsequently, a US led coalition was formed to combat the extremist group and sent troops to Iraq. Al Jazeera, citing an Iraqi source, reported on Wednesday that the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Esmail Qaani, made an unannounced visit to Baghdad early this week and held back channel meetings with political leaders, security chiefs and commanders of Shiite militias to discuss the Iraqi government's plan to disarm armed groups.
The withdrawal of US troops from Iraq has been one of the key promises of the current government, which came to power in 2025. The coalition mission, set up in 2014 to fight ISIS, has officially ended, but hundreds of advisers remained in Iraq to help train Iraqi forces. Baghdad is now insisting on a full withdrawal. However, the process is complicated by the presence of numerous armed groups, including Iran backed Shiite militias, which do not always answer to the central government. Qaani's visit indicates that Tehran is closely watching developments and seeking to maintain its influence.
Al Zaidi, for his part, is trying to balance Washington's demands, Iranian pressure and the expectations of Iraqi society, weary of instability. The success of this plan depends on Baghdad's ability to bring all armed forces on its territory under control, which will require both political will and concessions from various groups.
As CCTV+ reports, 30 September could be a turning point for Iraq, but beyond that milestone lies a long and difficult road to genuine sovereignty, where every step will test the strength of both new relations with the US and internal unity.
