Al-Zaidi to CENTCOM commander: By October, Iraq will be free of any foreign military presence.
Al-Zaidi to CENTCOM commander: By October, Iraq will be free of any foreign military presence.
2026-08-12
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi confirmed on Wednesday evening to US Central Command chief Charles Brad Cooper that Iraq will be free of any foreign military presence on October 1st.
Al-Zaydi’s media office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that during his meeting with the CENTCOM commander, he emphasized the commitment to the agreed-upon timelines, which stipulate that September 30th will be a fixed and final date for ending the international coalition’s military mission in Iraq and completing the departure of its forces.
He explained that the first of next October will be “a new day in the course of the Iraqi state, as Iraq will be free of any foreign military presence, and will have completed its national sovereignty over its lands, and continued to build its security and military capabilities, enabling it to protect its security and stability on its own.”
In this context, the Prime Minister called for adherence to the principles of the constitution and the constants upon which the state is based, preserving its supreme interests, and directing the energies of the people towards construction, reconstruction and development, stressing that Iraq today needs the efforts of all its people to build a strong economy, a stable state, and a better future for future generations.
He stressed that restricting weapons to the state, in accordance with the law, protects everyone, strengthens the state’s authority and sovereignty, ensures security and stability, and represents a fundamental condition for moving Iraq to a new stage of development and prosperity.
Both sides confirmed the full and final agreement to end the military mission of the international coalition, in accordance with what was agreed upon during the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington in mid-July.
They stressed that Iraqi-American relations will move towards cooperation and partnership in the economic, developmental and security fields, based on mutual respect for sovereignty and the common interests of the two countries.
Earlier today, during his chairmanship of a meeting of the National Security Council, Al-Zaydi confirmed that the decision to end the mission of the international coalition in Iraq on September 30 is a final and irreversible date, and stressed the implementation of the highest level of security plans, support for internal stability, and guaranteeing national sovereignty.
shafaq.com
