The Iranian Revolutionary Guard congratulated the Iraqi people, the Iraqi resistance front, and revolutionary fighters around the world on this "historic victory". The Guard made the statement in a release published by its official media outlets. The US announced on Wednesday that it had completed the mission of the international coalition it led to fight the ISIS terrorist group in Iraq. This came after its forces withdrew from an airbase in Erbil, in the Kurdistan region.
The US-led coalition forces have been present in Iraq and Syria since 2014 to combat the ISIS terrorist group. Despite the group's defeat in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019, coalition forces remained to fight the remaining cells. The coalition had pulled out of Syria earlier this year. Under an agreement between Baghdad and Washington in 2024, coalition forces began withdrawing from bases in Iraq. By the start of this year, their presence had been limited to the Kurdistan region.
The Iraqi government views the coalition's departure as removing a key justification for Iraqi factions to retain their weapons. Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaydi, who took office this year with US backing, has pledged to ensure the state has a monopoly on the use of force. He set a deadline of June 30, 2027, for the disarmament of Iraqi factions. Al-Zaydi stated that October 1, 2026, marked the beginning of a serious process to address the issue of weapons outside state control.
Some Iraqi factions have announced they are handing over their weapons, but others, more powerful and close to Iran, are refusing to do so. These factions have targeted coalition forces with drones and rockets, viewing them as "occupation forces". In response, US forces have carried out strikes that have killed some faction leaders. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's statement on Thursday called for US forces to leave the Middle East.
The withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq marks a significant shift in the country's security landscape. The US began withdrawing its forces from Iraq in 2024, under an agreement with Baghdad. The process has been gradual, with the US military announcing on Wednesday that it had completed its mission in Iraq.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's statement on Thursday reflects the significance of the US withdrawal from Iraq. The Guard described the withdrawal as a "historic victory" and congratulated the Iraqi people and resistance fighters. The statement also called for US forces to leave the region.
The future of Iraq's security and the role of its various factions remain uncertain. Prime Minister Al-Zaydi's government faces the challenge of ensuring stability and security in the country. The disarmament of Iraqi factions and the role of US forces in the region will be key issues in the coming months.
Key points
- The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has welcomed the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq, describing it as a "historic victory".
- The Iraqi government views the coalition's departure as removing a key justification for Iraqi factions to retain their weapons.
- Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaydi has set a deadline of June 30, 2027, for the disarmament of Iraqi factions.
