Peregraf - The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday welcomed what it described as a historic vote by the U.S. Congress to repeal the Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq.
In a statement, the Ministry said it “welcomes the historic vote by the U.S. Congress, in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force against Iraq,” noting that the repeal was included within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026. The Ministry expressed its anticipation that President Donald Trump will sign the bill into law.
According to the statement, completing the repeal of the two authorizations—both of which have remained in effect for more than three decades—reflects a shift in the outlook of U.S. lawmakers driven by domestic and international considerations. The Ministry said the move represents a “fundamental turning point” in redefining the legal nature of relations between Iraq and the United States.
The repeal, it added, establishes a new framework for bilateral relations based on respect for Iraq’s sovereignty, an end to the legacy of war, and the strengthening of the Strategic Framework Agreement between the two countries. The decision also sends a message to the international community that Iraq has become a secure and attractive environment for investment.
The Ministry stressed that repealing the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs does not undermine counter-terrorism efforts, clarifying that the 2001 AUMF—issued in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks to combat Al-Qaeda and affiliated terrorist groups—remains in force.
The statement concluded by reaffirming the Iraqi government’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with the United States in a manner that supports long-term partnership, serves the interests of both countries, and contributes to stability in the Middle East.