Maliki’s coalition proposes separating the date of the American withdrawal from the issue of arms control.
Maliki’s coalition proposes separating the date of the American withdrawal from the issue of arms control.
2026-08-17
Shafaq News – Baghdad
A source within the coordination framework revealed on Sunday a proposal submitted by the State of Law Coalition, led by Nouri al-Maliki, to separate the date of the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq from the issue of dismantling weapons, within the framework of a vision that is still “under study”.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that the State of Law Coalition submitted a proposal to “separate the date of the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq from the issue of disarming weapons,” explaining that the main idea revolves around separating the two issues by a period of time, even if it is short, with the aim of “giving messages of reassurance and confidence to all factions,” stressing that the matter is still under study.
The source indicated that the withdrawal of US forces would take place according to the agreed schedule, coinciding with the arrival of dozens of American companies in Iraq following the agreements made by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi during his recent visit to Washington.
The issue of armed factions is one of the most sensitive issues facing the Iraqi government, with the approach of September 30, which the main political forces have set as the deadline for restricting weapons to official institutions.
In September 2024, Iraq and the United States agreed to end the military mission of the US-led international coalition against ISIS in Iraq, as part of a phased plan to move the security relationship between the two countries from the framework of the coalition to a bilateral partnership.
The first phase of the mission ended in September 2025, while forces remained in the Kurdistan Region to support operations against the organization in Syria, with the final phase to be completed by the end of September 2026.
The international coalition was formed in 2014 to assist Iraqi forces in confronting ISIS, which at the time controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria. The mission of the coalition forces later shifted primarily to training, advising, and intelligence support, while Baghdad asserts that its forces are now capable of assuming responsibility for security and pursuing the organization’s cells.
shafaq.com
