Iraq says Sept. 30 coalition withdrawal marks ‘historic transformation’

BAGHDAD — Iraq said Saturday that the Sept. 30 withdrawal of international coalition forces will represent a “strategic milestone and historic transformation.”Sabah al-Numan, spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, said the date would mark “the culmination of a long period of sacrifices and a major shift in Iraq’s sovereignty and stability,” according to the Iraqi News Agency.“The selection of this date for the withdrawal of coalition forces and the end of their mission was not an arbitrary decision,” al-Numan said.He said the decision was based on the readiness of Iraq’s armed forces and security agencies, which had demonstrated their ability to control the country’s territory, confront threats and manage national security independently.Al-Numan said Iraqi forces had also demonstrated their ability to defeat terrorist groups and prevent terrorism from spreading within the region and beyond.The completion of the withdrawal would open a new chapter in Iraq’s international relations, he said, including security, economic and training partnerships based on mutual respect, shared interests and Iraqi sovereignty.The statement follows remarks by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Aug. 12 confirming Sept. 30 as the deadline for ending the international coalition’s military mission and completing the withdrawal of its forces.“Oct. 1 would mark a new day in Iraq’s statehood,” al-Zaidi said during a meeting with US Central Command Commander Gen. Brad Cooper, adding that Iraq would be free of foreign military presence.The two sides reaffirmed their agreement to conclude the coalition’s military mission, while Iraqi-US relations would transition toward economic and security cooperation based on mutual respect for sovereignty and shared interests.The US-led international coalition was established in 2014 to combat Daesh after the terrorist group seized large areas of Iraq and neighboring Syria.Iraq declared military victory over Daesh in December 2017 after retaking territory held by the group. Coalition forces subsequently remained in the country in advisory and training roles at Baghdad’s request.