At a Glance

• The Iraqi President announced a transition to a new phase of international relations built on sovereignty partnerships.
• He described Iraq's sovereignty, institutional safety, and independent decision-making as supreme fundamentals.
• The state must hold absolute control over all weapons and subject all forms of military force to constitutional law.

Marking the conclusion of the International Coalition's mission, Iraqi President Nizar Amedi declared that Iraq has entered a new era of full sovereignty and balanced partnerships, emphasizing that the state must hold an absolute monopoly over weapons and all strategic decisions.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Nizar Amedi stated, “On the occasion of Sovereignty Day, we extend our warmest congratulations to our Iraqi people, emphasizing that Iraq's sovereignty, the independence of its national decision-making, the unity of its land, and the safety of its institutions represent supreme, non-negotiable fundamentals.”
• “With the conclusion of the International Coalition's mission in Iraq, our country affirms its transition to a new phase in its international relations,” Amedi stressed.

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Iraqi President Nizar Amedi issued a statement on Wednesday regarding the departure of the U.S.-led Coalition, asserting that the will of the Iraqi people and their national interests serve as the sole foundation for shaping the country's trajectory, decisions, and international relationships.

“Sovereignty is incomplete without a strong state with deep-rooted institutions and an enforced rule of law—one that monopolizes sovereign decision-making and exercises its constitutional responsibilities over its entire territory,” he emphasized.

Amedi said that "the decision of peace and war is an exclusive right of the state," highlighting that placing all weapons and force under strict legal control is vital to safeguarding national sovereignty and stability.

The Iraqi President urged all political groups to prioritize the country's welfare, stressing their shared responsibility “in protecting the unity of Iraqi decision-making, prioritizing the supreme interests of the state above all else, strengthening national cohesion, and insulating Iraq from conflicts and polarizations.”

Amedi affirmed that following the conclusion of the Coalition's mission, Iraq is transitioning into a new era of international relations defined by "full sovereignty, balanced partnerships, mutual interests, and non-interference in internal affairs."

“On Sovereignty Day, we remember with reverence and loyalty the martyrs of Iraq from the Armed Forces, Police, Popular Mobilization Forces, Peshmerga, and Tribal Mobilization Forces, as well as all those who gave their lives defending the land and people of Iraq against the terrorist organization ISIS. We salute everyone who contributed to protecting the homeland and safeguarding its security and unity,” he added.

FYI

The official conclusion of the U.S.-led military mission in Iraq on September 30, 2026, marks the end of a 12-year campaign against ISIS and a final troop exit from Erbil Air Base. 

Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell declared the wartime campaign a success, noting it transitions the relationship into an Iraqi-led security effort supported by normal bilateral ties. 

Marking the transition as "Sovereignty Day," Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi emphasized that all weapons must now be restricted to official state institutions, implementing a phased militia disarmament timeline extending to June 2027. 

Supporting this shift, Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi, Judicial Chief Faiq Zidan, and National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji collectively affirmed that the exit solidifies independent legal rule and shifts foreign partnerships to balanced intelligence sharing. 

Meanwhile, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani framed the exit as a positive transition toward stronger Erbil-Baghdad coordination and future bilateral partnerships with individual allied nations. 

However, KRG Peshmerga Ministry expressed formal anxieties regarding the immediate lack of integrated air defense systems. Pointing to severe regional drone and missile threat landscapes, Kurdish defense officials stressed the urgency of securing anti-drone technology and state defense allocations to protect the region's infrastructure.

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