International coalition's mission in Iraq to end in 2026
In an interview with the BBC, Al-Sudani clarified that in order to move toward bilateral security cooperation, the Iraqi government is holding talks with the international coalition's member countries, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
The Iraqi government held two rounds of discussions with the United States in Baghdad and Washington, and a third round is scheduled to be held to determine the structure of the security cooperation, in line with the Iraqi constitution, according to Al-Sudani.
In April, Al-Sudani and the Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF–OIR), Major General Kevin Leahy, discussed strategies to strengthen collaboration between Iraq and the member countries of the international coalition.
This collaboration included improving training and exchanging knowledge and information with Iraqi security agencies.
In January 2024, Iraq initiated discussions with the United States to terminate the coalition's operations in the country.
The international coalition against ISIS includes over 80 partners and was established primarily to combat the terrorist group ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
In 2014, the terrorist group ISIS seized control of significant territories in Iraq and Syria, but they were defeated in 2017. Despite this defeat, Iraqi authorities continue to conduct security operations to track down and eliminate remnants of the terrorist group.
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Rudaw Net
an hour ago
- Rudaw Net
Who is behind recent rocket, drone attacks in Kurdistan Region, disputed territories?
Also in Iraq Car accident kills four in Diyala province Turkey approves increased water flow to aid Iraq amid growing crisis Unfinished Stories: End of Mesopotamia Iraq urges Turkey to increase water flow amid severe crisis A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran-aligned groups have denied involvement in recent rocket and drone attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region and territories disputed between Baghdad and Erbil. Several of their leaders and affiliated politicians have publicly denied any involvement, blaming either Islamic State (ISIS) remnants or political scapegoating ahead of Iraq's November elections. A string of unclaimed drone and rocket attacks have hit the Kurdistan Region and several disputed territories between Erbil and Baghdad since the start of the week, with no group claiming responsibility. The incidents come amid heightened tensions and diminished air defense capabilities following the Iran-Israel conflict in June, which left much of Iraq's radar infrastructure inoperable. A source from Iraq's defense ministry told Rudaw on condition of anonymity that the radar systems remain severely compromised. 'Out of three radars, two have been taken out of service during the Iran-Israel war. One was in Baghdad and the other in Nasiriyah. Now, only the western sector radar is working, and that's not enough to track these objects,' the source said. Intelligence units in the Defense Ministry and other security agencies have launched investigations, but the source warned that the lack of functioning radar is delaying tracking and response efforts. The renewed drone activity follows a US-brokered ceasefire that ended a 12-day war between Iran and Israel. During the conflict, numerous drones and missiles flew through Iraqi airspace, including the Kurdistan Region, where several drones fell or were intercepted, and a renewed series of similar incidents began again on Sunday. Recent drone and rocket attacks On Tuesday, two explosive-laden drones were intercepted over Sulaimani province, with one crashing in the Tasluja area. No casualties were reported, according to local officials. That same day, a drone struck the Darkar camp housing displaced Yazidis about 36 kilometers northwest of Duhok. The Kurdistan Region's Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD) said the drone was laden with explosives and caused material damage. Civil defense teams from Zakho reported that three cabins at the camp caught fire as a result of the crash. No injuries were reported. In Kirkuk, Governor Rebwar Taha said three Katyusha rockets struck the city overnight. One hit a residential home, while two others landed between the civilian and military zones of Kirkuk International Airport. No fatalities were reported. In Salahaddin province, three people were injured on Sunday when an explosion hit the Baiji oil refinery. While some media outlets claimed the site was targeted by 12 drones, Saif Muhannad, head of the Salahaddin provincial council's media office, said only two drones were confirmed, and there is no evidence of a coordinated 12-drone attack. 'This isn't the first time the base has been targeted, but there are some armed groups that are dominant in that area,' he said. Militia groups deny involvement, blame ISIS Mahdi al-Kaabi, a political committee member of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, an Iran-aligned Iraqi militia group, denied responsibility for the recent attacks. 'We, as the Nujaba movement, are not participating in any way in these recent attacks carried out with missiles and drones,' he told Rudaw, adding that there is coordination between the resistance groups and the Iraqi government to prevent military escalations. Kaabi suggested the accusations against militias are politically motivated. 'Pointing fingers at us and other resistance front groups is somewhat related to the approaching elections,' he said, referring to Iraq's upcoming parliamentary vote set for November. Mohammed al-Bayati, a senior Badr Organization official in Kirkuk, also denied involvement. 'Never do the Popular Mobilization Forces [PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi] and Badr attempt to carry out attacks in that manner, especially at this sensitive time,' he said, suggesting that ISIS militants, who remain active in some regions, may be behind the attacks. ISIS, which seized large parts of Iraq in 2014 before being territorially defeated in 2017, continues to carry out hit-and-run attacks from remote mountain and desert areas. In Diyala, Turki al-Attabi, a member of the provincial council, said that no evidence has emerged linking the government-affiliated and Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to any of the drone or rocket attacks. 'If any necessary evidence is obtained, we will inform the public,' he said. Malik Mohammed contributed to this report.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqi President urges Global Coalition to protect skies
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Madrid On Wednesday, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid condemned recent Israeli and Iranian violations of Iraq's airspace and urged the US Global Coalition to safeguard Iraqi skies. 'Coalition forces should have intervened," Rashid told El Mundo, emphasizing that Iraq had requested air defense systems but lacked them due to "decades of dictatorship". Iraq's airspace has increasingly become a corridor for regional strikes, particularly during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. While the Coalition's mandate is counterterrorism, Iraqi leaders argued it should also help safeguard national sovereignty during regional escalations. On domestic security, the president affirmed that weapons must be restricted to official forces, reiterating the government's stance on consolidating arms under state control, and warned that ISIS remains a regional threat. 'Their threat has declined, but the atrocities against Yazidis remain unforgettable," he said, referencing the 2014 genocide in Sinjar. Baghdad–Erbil talks are also ongoing to resolve issues related to revenue and administration, according to the President, who stressed the importance of passing a national oil and gas law to address these disputes. Ahead of November's legislative elections, Rashid encouraged participation from all political groups, including those planning to abstain. 'Democratic systems allow for boycotts, but collaboration is essential to address corruption and national challenges."
Memri
2 hours ago
- Memri
Unusual Article In Qatari Government Daily Criticizes Iran Following Its Attack On CENTCOM Base In Qatar: We Do Not Fear Conflict With Iran
Iran's June 23, 2025 missile attack on the U.S. CENTCOM Al-Udeid Air Base was a symbolic strike that had been coordinated in advance with the Qatari and American authorities. Its purpose was to allow Iran to save face by responding to the U.S. attack on its nuclear facilities but without causing casualties or damage.[1] The target – Qatar (rather than Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain or Jordan) – was chosen by Iran because this country is an ally, and therefore coordinating the attack with it in advance allowed Iran to avoid the risk of escalation.[2] Moreover, Qatar serves as a mediator between Iran and the U.S. Despite Iran's attack on Qatar's territory, the Qatari media was restrained in its response to this country, and preferred to blame the escalation on Israel.[3] This messaging aligns with the policy of Qatar, which expressed unwavering support for Iran throughout the war with Israel,[4] including after the U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.[5] In contrast to this line, the Qatari government daily Al-Sharq published an unusual article in response to the Iranian missile attack on Al-Udeid base, which was removed from the newspaper's website a few hours after its publication. The article, by Sa'ud bin Mubarak Al-Nasser, a researcher of political science and international relations, included criticism of the attack and even a threat of Qatari retaliation. Calling the Iranian strike on Qatari territory "an unjustified escalation" that "directly threatens Qatar's allies," the article emphasized that Qatar "rejects dictates and does not fear conflict when it comes to its honor and sovereignty," that "the era of silence has passed," and that, although Qatar is not an aggressive state, "it is prepared for any possibility." Interception of Iranian missiles over Qatar in video circulated by Qatar's Defense Ministry ( June 26, 2025) The following are translated excerpts from Al-Nasser's article:[6] "At a time when our region is in need of calm, commitment to development, and cooperative bridgebuilding, the State of Qatar was surprised by a criminal Iranian missile attack aimed at the American [CENTCOM] Al-Udeid Air Base, in a clear challenge to the sovereignty of the state, the principles of international law, and the principles of good neighborliness, which are the basis for stability in the Gulf region. "Qatar, with its wise leadership, remains a wise and rational voice in the region. It has invested enormous efforts in neutralizing crises, whether through direct mediation or through support for multilateral humanitarian and diplomatic initiatives. Therefore, striking Qatar is a strike on the role of the mediator, and an attack on its territory is an attack on the logic of balance and peace. What increases the severity of this act is that it was carried out against a country that has never attacked Iran, but has always striven for restraint and for prioritizing diplomacy over escalation, even in the most difficult moments befalling the region. Thus, this attack constitutes an unjustified escalation, and threatens to further exacerbate tensions. "Any attempt to harm [Qatar's] role, or to use political violence to change the rules of the game in the region, will not pass without an appropriate response on all levels: legal, political, and security. Harm to the [Al-Udeid air] base also directly threatens Qatar's allies. Thus, there is a need for a responsible international position that will not settle for condemnation but will rise to the level of deterrent action... "[Qatar's] relevant apparatuses dealt very professionally with the incident [of the Iranian missile attack], successfully minimizing damage and avoiding casualties. This sends a clear message: Qatar is ready, alert, and capable of defending itself, its interests and its people. This rapid response [to the attack] is a manifestation not only of military readiness, but [also] of the cohesion of its entire national security array, from the command [level] to the executive [ranks]… 'The solidarity with Qatar [expressed by various countries after the attack on CENTCOM] reflects the depth of the relations established by Qatari diplomacy over the years. This proves that Qatar's balanced positions were not for nought – they gained for it global political credit, which is today translated [into solidarity with Qatar] at the moment of conflict. "Today we face a real test of the international community's seriousness in defending small and medium-sized countries from attacks by regional actors who scoff at international law. The UN Security Council and secretary general have a moral and legal responsibility to condemn this attack, to act as soon as possible to prevent it from happening again, and to take the necessary deterrent measures. Any leniency in addressing this aggression opens the door to similar aggressive behavior [in the future], and undermines the UN Charter, the second article of which prohibits the use of force against any state's territorial integrity or political independence. "Qatar, with its wise leadership and united people, rejects dictates and does not fear conflict when it comes to its honor and sovereignty. At the same time, however, it adheres to the legal and diplomatic tracks, and calls on the international community to stand against irresponsible policy that threatens security and peace in the region. We are aware that power lies not only in the possession of weapons, but also in gaining legitimacy, defending justice, and persevering in principles. Qatar has already proven that it is a country that stands firm in its position, is wise in its response, and is and courageous in managing its crises. "I will say this clearly: The era of silence has passed, and our positions will remain steadfast. We will not deviate from them, not from fear, and not from courtesy. Qatar is not an aggressive country, but it is a country that will not [stand for] being harmed. It is not a country of war – but it is prepared for any possibility."[7]
