Iraq Rejects U.S. Extension Request, Reaffirms Firm Armed Factions Deadlines
At a Glance
- Baghdad officially rejects Washington's proposal to extend the U.S. troop presence.
- August public sector salaries are fully secured, with the draft budget heading to parliament.
- The Prime Minister will pay official diplomatic visits to Paris and Berlin.
Government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi stated that the Iraqi Government has rejected the U.S. request to extend the withdrawal deadline of its forces from its territory, stressing that public sector salaries are secured and the draft budget law will be voted on by the Council of Ministers.
Key Statemenat and Focus Area
- The Iraqi government spokesperson stated that the U.S. requested an extension for its troop presence, but the Prime Minister rejected the proposal.
- Al-Aboudi affirmed that August salaries are fully secured and the budget law will be voted on by the Cabinet in September.
Spokesperson al-Aboudi reaffirmed that September 30, 2026, has been established as the final deadline to conclude the file on armed groups.
He noted that negotiations with groups aligned with the Resistance Front are proceeding systematically.
Al-Aboudi emphasized that government decisions regarding security files will be based on national interests.
Regarding the financial and energy sectors, the spokesperson announced that Iraq exported a total of 2,359,000 barrels of oil during the month of August.
He revealed that anti-corruption efforts have led to the registration of 26,000 complaints against state institutions to date.
Additionally, to bolster the electricity sector, the government will provide private generator owners with 35 liters of subsidized fuel at 400 IQD per kilovolt.
The spokesperson also announced that Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi will conduct an official visit to France and Germany in mid-September.
According to al-Aboudi, the tour is taking place upon official invitations from Paris and Berlin, aiming to enhance bilateral relations and address key economic and security matters.
FYI
The September 30, 2026 deadline represents the scheduled timeline for the conclusion of the U.S.-led International Coalition’s military mission in Iraq.
Alongside this scheduled troop departure, the Iraqi government has established a parallel deadline to address the status of non-state armed groups and finalize disarmament protocols.
Domestically, the government is managing a structured negotiation process with factions to integrate their personnel under official state security frameworks.
Former Peshmerga Ministry Secretary General Jabar Yawar told Channel8 earlier that the conclusion of the Coalition's mission does not entail a complete withdrawal from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as military advisors will remain stationed at diplomatic facilities to maintain ongoing strategic relations.
Simultaneously, the administration has moved to address public sector salary delays by securing August payroll funds and finalizing the draft budget law for parliamentary review.
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