Iraq PM hails end of US-led coalition mission

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Wednesday hailed the end of the US-led anti-jihadist coalition's mission as the start of a new chapter for the country.

“A new phase has begun, defined by Iraq's sovereignty, the strength of its institutions, the readiness of its forces, unity of decision-making, and balanced partnerships with its friends,” Zaidi said at a ceremony marking the conclusion of the coalition's mission.

Baghdad and Washington agreed in 2024 to end the coalition mission against the Islamic State group in Iraq.

Iraq's foreign ministry said on September 24 that the United States would hand over a diplomatic and logistics hub at Baghdad International Airport to the Iraqi government. The ministry said the transfer was part of efforts to end the US-led coalition's military presence in Iraq, with remaining troops set to complete their exit by September 30.

An Iraqi security official and a diplomatic source said earlier in September that US troops had already evacuated the airport site.

The Baghdad airport facility was repeatedly targeted by Iran-backed groups during the Middle East war. The groups targeted US sites more than 600 times, including the airport site, during the war.