The Iraqi leadership is signaling a clear stance on the presence of international coalition forces within its borders. Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani articulated at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the coalition should depart Iraq to safeguard the republic’s stability and security. The remarks were reported by TASS.
Al-Sudani argued for an immediate initiation of steps to wind down and eventually liquidate coalition deployments in Iraq. He asserted that withdrawing these forces is essential to preserving security, maintaining a stable environment for Iraqi citizens, and sustaining constructive relations with member nations of the coalition. The message underscored Iraq’s hope that the exit would advance regional stability and reduce foreign military footprints while allowing the country to pursue its own security path.
The prime minister acknowledged the significant role coalition forces played in defeating ISIS, a group designated as terrorist by Russia, and he noted Iraq’s appreciation for the assistance rendered by these allies. Yet, he contended that ISIS no longer poses the same level of threat to Iraq, arguing that the presence of foreign troops is no longer necessary to counter the group’s activities. This assessment aligns with a broader push to reassert Iraqi sovereignty over security decisions while balancing regional dynamics and international partnerships.
Al-Sudani also highlighted another factor that could hasten the withdrawal: repeated attacks targeting Iraqi security headquarters. He stated that such assaults are taken very seriously by the alliance and are a key determinant in the timing of any future troop reductions. The emphasis was on safeguarding Iraqi security institutions and ensuring they can operate with greater independence and resilience as foreign forces scale back their footprint.
In related developments, media reports from January 16 described an incident involving the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and a joint strike aimed at a U.S. military base and airport near the U.S. consulate in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. Tehran described the operation as carried out with ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles targeting what it labeled as a spying facility and locations associated with anti-Iranian militant networks. The reporting highlighted ongoing regional tensions and the complex security environment in which Iraqi security forces and coalition partners operate. The event was discussed in the context of broader regional security concerns rather than as a direct military engagement within Iraqi territory, but it underscored the volatility that can influence coalition decisions and Iraqi security planning.
Political analysts have weighed the implications of these developments for U.S.-Iraq relations and for the broader regional security architecture. They point to a delicate balance between honoring past commitments and enabling Iraq to chart an independent security course. The evolving dynamic suggests that Iraq seeks a path that preserves stability, curbs external interference, and maintains strategic partnerships while reducing foreign troop levels. The discourse reflects a broader regional trend toward sovereignty in security policy, with Iraq positioned at the center of conversations about defense, diplomacy, and stability in the Middle East.