Iraq Says US-Led Coalition Withdrawal Proceeding at ‘Accelerated Pace’

The Iraqi government announced that the withdrawal of US-led international coalition forces from the country is proceeding at an "accelerated pace" under the direct supervision of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Official statements confirmed that all foreign troops are scheduled to fully depart Iraqi territory by September 30, 2026, marking the conclusion of the coalition's military mission. This update follows the complete withdrawal of German forces from Erbil International Airport, where military sites and facilities were formally handed over to civilian airport authorities and Peshmerga forces. Military spokespersons indicated that the final phase of drawdown involves orderly movements of troops and equipment via land and air corridors alongside ongoing base handovers to Iraqi authorities. Concurrently, Baghdad has established a specialized committee to outline future security cooperation with coalition member states following the September 30 deadline. Future engagements are expected to transition into bilateral partnerships focusing on intelligence sharing, advisory programs, and arms procurement to maintain regional counter-terrorism capabilities [The New Region](https://thenewregion.com/posts/6343).