Iraqi Sunni Tribal Leader Ali Hatem Al-Suleiman Responds to PM Al-Sudani's Remarks That Iraq Would Not Recognize Israel: It's Just Electioneering - Israel Isn't Waiting for Our Recognition; Iraqi Poli
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Iraqi News
4 hours ago
- Iraqi News
International coalition's mission in Iraq to end in 2026
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, said on Tuesday the international coalition's mission in Iraq will end in September 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.
Shafaq News
5 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Al-Sudani: Iraq took diplomatic role in war, signed air defense deals
On Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani underscored Baghdad's pivotal diplomatic engagement during the recent regional conflict, stating that Iraq stood ready to manage its repercussions. In a BBC English interview, al-Sudani revealed that Iraq has already secured contracts to install a comprehensive air defence system and is negotiating further agreements to reinforce its airspace security. 'We submitted an official complaint to the UN Security Council and launched a diplomatic campaign to support our position,' he said, emphasising that Iraq pursued 'a calm and balanced diplomatic approach throughout the recent regional tensions, safeguarding its sovereignty and preserving the sole authority of state institutions over decisions related to war and peace.' Warning of potential fallout, the Prime Minister cautioned that 'a widening of the conflict would have undermined Iraq's security and stability and disrupted energy supplies and oil exports to neighbouring countries.' Al-Sudani commended national unity and leadership intervention, noting that 'the Supreme Religious Authority in Al Najaf Ashraf issued a statement warning of the dangers of continuing the war,' and added that with the support of national political forces, 'the government succeeded in keeping Iraq out of the conflict.' Reaffirming Baghdad's balanced foreign relations, he stated that Iraq maintains strong ties with both Iran and the United States, noting, 'Both countries recognise the importance of Iraq's stability and the necessity of not involving it in their tensions.' He also cautioned that 'efforts to collapse the Iranian government would have grave consequences for the entire region.' He expressed concern over Israeli politics and warned that Benjamin Netanyahu's return to power 'poses a source of concern for the region due to ongoing efforts to create tensions and trigger conflicts.' Regarding the future of foreign forces in Iraq, al-Sudani confirmed that the International Coalition's mission will end in September 2026 and said Iraq is 'in discussions to transition to bilateral security arrangements.' On domestic politics, al‑Sudani affirmed his government's determination to hold elections on time, stating, 'We are committed to holding them as scheduled and making all necessary preparations.' He described voter participation as 'a national responsibility.'
Rudaw Net
7 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
US presses urgent restart of Kurdish oil exports, slams stalemate as ‘unacceptable'
Also in World Trump moves to lift broad sanctions on Syria: White House spox. Three Gorges Dam powers China's growth amid displacement, environmental concerns Kurdish activist honored for anti-racism work in Europe Trump said would consider bombing Iran again A+ A- WASHINGTON DC - The United States is urging the resumption of Kurdish oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline, describing its ongoing closure as "unacceptable" due to the economic harm it is causing to both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as its direct impact on American businesses, a State Department spokesperson told Rudaw on Tuesday. 'It is critical that the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and other involved parties urgently restart the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline operations,' the spokesperson emphasized, adding that the closure is 'directly harming the business of three American companies. 'This is unacceptable. We have repeatedly urged all parties to resolve their issues and will not accept an indefinite delay,' the spokesperson stressed. Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been suspended since March 2023, following a ruling by a Paris arbitration court that found Turkey had violated a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing Erbil to export oil without Baghdad's approval. In February, Iraq's parliament amended the federal budget law to include a $16-per-barrel fee to cover production and transportation costs for international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the Kurdistan Region. The amendment also requires Baghdad and Erbil to jointly appoint an international consultancy to audit and assess these costs. If no consensus is reached, the Iraqi cabinet will choose the firm. While the changes were designed to facilitate the resumption of Kurdish oil exports, progress remains stalled. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stated last week that the suspension of exports has cost over $25 billion in lost revenue. In a similar vein, the State Department spokesperson told Rudaw on Tuesday that the Iraq-Turkey pipeline 'provides a critical alternative route for oil to reach global markets,' benefiting the economies of both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, 'as well as the American companies that operate there." The reopening of the key pipeline stands to benefit Washington, Baghdad and Erbil, the spokesperson asserted, noting that its continued closure 'has done nothing but stifle Iraq's economic development and undermines American business and help increase Iran's influence. 'This issue needs to be resolved, and soon!' the spokesperson concluded. Rudaw learned on Tuesday that a Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation led by Acting Natural Resources Minister Kamal Mohammed returned to Erbil after three days of talks in Baghdad aimed at resolving long-standing oil disputes. However, negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad have stalled due to a failure to reach a written agreement, a source familiar with the discussions told Rudaw, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. 'The federal government has not agreed to put the agreement in writing and wants it to remain verbal,' the source said, adding that 'the Kurdistan Regional Government insists on a written deal.' According to the source, Baghdad's reluctance is rooted in fears that a formal agreement could be exploited by political rivals of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani ahead of the country's legislative elections scheduled for November 11. Earlier, on Sunday, sources from both Erbil and Baghdad told Rudaw that negotiations had been progressing in a 'calmer environment' compared to past rounds of talks. However, one major sticking point remains: the volume of oil the KRG is required to deliver to Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). While Baghdad insists the KRG must export 400,000 barrels per day (bpd), Erbil has proposed an initial volume of 280,000 bpd, the source added.
