Mission of global coalition forces in Iraq to end by 2026: Security Media Cell
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The mission of the global coalition forces to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq will conclude without any extension, the head of Iraq's Security Media Cell told Rudaw on Monday.
Major General Saad Maan confirmed that "the missions of the global coalition forces in Iraq will end in two phases: the first will be this year, and the second in 2026, and there will be no extension beyond that."
He explained that the decision stems from the significant improvement in Iraq's security compared to 2014 when ISIS took control of large swathes of territory in Iraq's north and west. "Our security forces are now stronger and more capable, and we can rely on ourselves to safeguard the country's security," Maan explained.
The global coalition to defeat ISIS, led by the United States, was formed in 2014 under former president Barack Obama with aims of degrading and ultimately defeating the group. The coalition's military mission in Iraq began in October of the same year with air support, later evolving to include advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces.
The coalition comprises over 60 countries and international organizations, including key members like the US – which has around 2,500 troops in Iraq - the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, and several Middle Eastern nations. Each member contributes resources such as military personnel, equipment, training, and financial support.
However, 168 out of Iraqi's 329-member parliament on January 5, 2020, voted to expel foreign troops from the country, just days after the US, under President Donald Trump's first term, launched an airstrike that killed the deputy chief of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, and Iran's Quds Force Commander, Qasem Soleimani, near Baghdad's international airport.
In December 2021, the coalition concluded its combat mission, shifting its focus to training and assisting Iraqi forces. The coalition plans to maintain a presence in Iraq for advisory purposes and continue supporting counter-ISIS operations in neighboring Syria.
The head of Iraq's Security Media Cell additionally told Rudaw on Monday that Iraqi forces have been able to 'effectively secure Iraq's borders with neighboring countries' in addition to maintaining internal security.
Following a swift offensive, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in early December toppled the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Iraq has since upped security along the 618-kilometer border with Syria to prevent any infiltration of ISIS remnants into the country.
Spokesperson for the Joint Operations Command (JOC), Sabah al-Numan, told Rudaw in early March that Iraq is 'conducting daily drone surveillance and continuous border patrols,' and that 'backup forces including the army and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are also on standby to counter any threats.'
In addition, Major General Maan revealed that hundreds of Syrian soldiers fled to Iraq after the collapse of the Assad regime in December. "Iraq welcomed 2,136 Syrian soldiers, of whom 1,900 voluntarily returned to Syria," Maan said. "136 of them stayed and have not yet decided to return."
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Full text of the briefing: Madame President, Distinguished representatives of Council members, Allow me to begin by expressing my joy to seeing (a dear friend and colleague) preside over the work of the Council. Let me express my profound appreciation to members of this esteemed Council for their attention, support, and guidance. I am so delighted to seeing the distinguished representatives of Iraq and Kuwait participate in today's session. A word of gratitude must be given to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for his continued engagement in the Middle East, including his recent visit to Baghdad for the Arab Summit. Madame President, Distinguished Representatives, Between my last report, six months ago, and now so many things have happened in Iraq which I will not list here, however, with your permission, I would like to mention the most notable developments at the forefront of which is Iraq's drive towards more stability, more prosperity, and closer regional integration. 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I say it loudly that the Yazidi's in Iraq have suffered immensely beyond description at the hands of ISIS, and we in the United Nations, through you and your support, call on those concerned in Iraq and the (neighboring countries) to take all necessary measure to protect this community and restore their dignity, respect, appreciation and rightful humanitarian standing. Especially given that, to this day, a number of Yazidi men and women remain in a state of near-forced captivity after Da'esh ravaged their lives, Iraq, and the region as a whole. We believe it is essential to end this injustice against the indigenous Iraqi Yazidi people and to ensure their return to their homes and areas with dignity and honor. Madame President, Distinguished Representatives, Commitment to human rights is at the heart of Iraq's stability and development. 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