Iraq prepares to end international coalition mission on September 30 — Asharq Al-Awsat
The Iraqi government is preparing to end the international coalition's military mission on September 30. At the same time, the spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces, Sabah al-Numan, said that the withdrawal of US forces should mark the country's transition to full independence in the security sphere and deprive armed groups of grounds to operate outside state institutions.
As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, the authorities and political forces allied with them are preparing to declare the date of the forces' withdrawal the “Day of Iraqi Sovereignty.” At the same time, the upcoming changes have raised concerns in Baghdad, particularly due to plans to establish state control over the weapons of non-state groups.
Control over weapons
National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister Qasim al-Araji said that people who continue to carry weapons illegally after the relevant process is completed will be considered lawbreakers. According to him, strict measures may be applied against them, including treating them as terrorists.
Al-Araji denied reports of a set deadline for the committee dealing with the issue. According to him, the committee, established by the Coordination Framework alliance, is working under the direct supervision of the prime minister. Legal action against illegally armed people may begin only after the committee completes its work and full state control over weapons is established.
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Government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi called September 30 an important milestone for Iraq's sovereignty. He said that Baghdad's relations with the coalition member countries should move to a bilateral format based on respect for sovereignty and mutual interests.
Concerns over sanctions and the exchange rate
Despite the authorities' assurances, religious figures and experts are warning of possible consequences after the forces' withdrawal. Abdul Wahab al-Samarrai, the imam of the Abu Hanifa al-Numan Mosque in Baghdad, mentioned concerns about sanctions similar to those that intensified against Iraq in the 1990s. Some political forces and armed groups publicly reject attempts to disarm them.
The Eco Iraq monitoring group reported that the dollar exchange rate on the parallel market had risen above 162,000 Iraqi dinars per $100. The organization linked this to speculation, increased demand for currency, a reduction in its supply, and uncertainty surrounding events after September 30. Traders in Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra told the publication about falling sales, which caused some businesses to temporarily suspend operations.
