Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has declared that his government can only begin the process of disarming armed factions once all U.S.-led coalition troops leave Iraqi soil. His remarks, made in an interview with Reuters, underline Baghdad’s growing desire to reclaim full sovereignty over its security apparatus while balancing domestic political pressure and foreign influence.
Sudani said Iraq is preparing for a gradual withdrawal of the U.S.-led coalition by September 2026, describing it as a necessary step to enable the government to impose control over all weapons within the country. “The presence of foreign forces continues to justify the existence of certain armed groups,” he explained, adding that true disarmament will only be possible when Iraq’s security responsibilities are entirely in its own hands.
The U.S.-led coalition entered Iraq more than two decades ago, initially to topple Saddam Hussein and later to combat the Islamic State (ISIS). Although the militant group was largely defeated by 2017, around 2,500 U.S. troops and smaller contingents from allied nations remain in Iraq, mainly to train and advise local forces.
Sudani’s government argues that the ongoing presence of these troops undermines Iraq’s sovereignty and gives justification to the continued operation of several armed militias, particularly those linked to Iran. Many of these groups operate under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) a coalition officially integrated into Iraq’s security structure but often acting with considerable autonomy.
The prime minister insists that disarmament and integration of these groups into state institutions can only proceed once the foreign military presence has fully ended. His position reflects a delicate balancing act between satisfying nationalist factions calling for an end to foreign troops and maintaining security stability amid a fragile political landscape.
In the interview, Sudani reaffirmed his commitment to transforming Iraq’s security landscape into one led and managed exclusively by Iraqis. “Weapons should be under the state’s authority alone,” he said, promising that once the coalition forces withdraw, the government will initiate a nationwide campaign to absorb or demobilize the remaining armed groups.
He also made clear that Iraq would not allow itself to be used as a battleground in broader regional confrontations. “No side can pull Iraq into war,” Sudani asserted, a remark clearly directed at both Washington and Tehran. The prime minister’s comments reflect Baghdad’s attempt to maintain neutrality amid the deepening rivalry between the United States and Iran, both of which exert significant influence over Iraq’s political and security affairs.
Despite his call for a full military withdrawal, Sudani emphasized that Iraq’s relationship with the United States will remain robust on the economic front. He highlighted new investment partnerships in the energy and power sectors, including a major agreement with General Electric to expand Iraq’s power generation capacity to 24,000 megawatts.
He added that U.S. energy companies such as Chevron are already active in the country and that economic cooperation between Baghdad and Washington will continue to strengthen even as military ties evolve. “Our goal is partnership, not dependency,” he stated, portraying Iraq’s new phase as one of sovereign economic engagement rather than military reliance.
Sudani’s comments come just days before Iraq’s November 11 parliamentary elections, where he seeks a renewed mandate for his government. His campaign focuses on national sovereignty, infrastructure completion, and public-sector employment, promising to deliver long-delayed reconstruction projects while continuing reforms in energy and governance.
In his first term, Sudani’s administration hired nearly one million new government employees, a move that expanded the state’s workforce but also strained Iraq’s budget. He now faces mounting expectations to balance fiscal discipline with economic growth. A strong electoral performance could give him the political backing needed to oversee the U.S. troop withdrawal and confront the powerful militias that have long operated outside government control.
Analysts say Sudani’s linkage of disarmament to foreign troop withdrawal carries both strategic clarity and risk. On one hand, it signals a clear path toward restoring Iraq’s monopoly on the use of force and reclaiming full sovereignty. On the other, it makes the disarmament process dependent on external timelines that Baghdad cannot fully control.
The United States may prefer that Iraq curb the influence of Iranian-backed militias before pulling out completely, while Iran may see a U.S. exit as an opportunity to expand its sway in Baghdad. This dynamic could prolong the process or even inflame internal rivalries among Iraq’s political blocs and armed groups.
Still, Sudani’s insistence on a sovereign, self-reliant Iraq marks an important step in the country’s post-war evolution. His administration is betting that a complete U.S. withdrawal, paired with growing economic partnerships and political stability, will help Iraq finally turn the page on two decades of foreign military involvement and militia dominance.