Iraq reaffirms Sept. 30 deadline for full US-led coalition exit

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has reaffirmed that September 30 remains the firm deadline for the complete withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces from the country. The statement was made during a meeting in Baghdad with General Brad Cooper, Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

According to a statement from the Prime Minister's media office, both sides confirmed their full agreement to conclude the coalition's military mission, in line with the consensus reached during al-Zaidi's visit to Washington in mid-July.

Al-Zaidi said that October 1 will mark a new era for Iraq, as the nation becomes free of foreign military presence and exercises full sovereignty over its territory. He also stressed that confining arms exclusively to state authority, in accordance with the law, remains an essential prerequisite for safeguarding Iraq's sovereignty, stability, and future development.

The U.S.-led coalition was formed in 2014 after the Islamic State group seized vast territories across Iraq's west and north. The coalition subsequently deployed forces to the country to support Iraqi security forces in the fight against the extremist group.

Meanwhile, reports citing an Iraqi source indicate that Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force in Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, made an unannounced visit to Baghdad earlier this week. Qaani reportedly held behind-the-scenes meetings with political and security leaders, as well as commanders of Shia paramilitaries, to discuss the Iraqi government's plan to disarm armed groups.