Coalition Missions in Central Iraq to End in September, Kurdistan Transition Planned for 2026

Peregraf

Iraq will formally end the missions of international coalition advisors in Baghdad and Anbar province this September, with the remaining advisory presence in the Kurdistan Region scheduled to transition in 2026, according to statements from a senior government advisor.

Farhad Allawi, Advisor to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, told the Iraqi News Agency that Baghdad has been preparing for this shift since 2022. He said the government has strengthened the country’s armed forces, upgraded weaponry, and ensured funding through the tripartite budget. Reports from the Joint Operations Command, the Army Chief of Staff, and the National Security Council have confirmed that Iraqi forces are now at a stage of readiness to manage security independently.

Allawi stressed that Iraqi forces are deployed along all borders with neighboring countries and remain engaged in operations against remnants of the Islamic State group. He noted that Iraq’s targeting cell continues to work closely with the intelligence community to dismantle ISIS networks and pursue its senior leadership.

Although the coalition’s combat missions have already concluded, Iraq continues to benefit from international support in training and capacity building. Allawi underlined that the government’s strategy is to shift coalition engagement toward bilateral military cooperation with individual states, including the United States and NATO members. This follows a September 2024 joint statement between Baghdad and Washington, which outlined a phased transition from coalition operations to bilateral partnerships.

On September 2, Prime Minister al-Sudani met Admiral Brad Cooper, the new Commander of U.S. Central Command, along with a U.S. delegation and the chargé d’affaires of the American embassy. Their discussions centered on counterterrorism, the transition of U.S. forces, and maintaining balanced security cooperation.

Al-Sudani emphasized that the partnership with Washington has delivered concrete security results and contributed to regional stability. He reiterated Iraq’s commitment to balanced relations that preserve sovereignty while serving mutual interests. Admiral Cooper described Iraq as a “model of successful cooperation” against terrorism and pledged continued U.S. support for Iraq’s security institutions.

The timeline for ending coalition missions comes amid political sensitivities in Baghdad. While the government presents U.S. engagement as a partnership that strengthens Iraqi institutions, Iran-aligned factions have been demanding a faster and complete withdrawal of foreign troops. Analysts note that al-Sudani is attempting to balance these domestic pressures with Iraq’s ongoing need for international military support, particularly in training and counterterrorism.