Iraq to Close Coalition Hub, End Foreign Military Presence by Sept. 30

Iraq will close the headquarters of the U.S.-led international coalition on September 30, 2026, ending the foreign military presence in the country, according to the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Director Abdulemir al-Shammari stated that security conditions are stable and Iraq maintains full control over its territory, adding that no foreign military bases will remain.

The Iraqi government plans to mark October 1 as "Sovereignty Day" to commemorate the withdrawal. The move follows a phased drawdown timeline agreed upon by Baghdad and Washington in recent weeks.

“There is no concern whatsoever regarding the security of the country.”

Separately, Iraq and the U.S. signed an agreement transferring the Diplomatic Support Facility at Baghdad International Airport to Iraqi authorities. Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Hussein Bahr al-Ulum and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Stephen Fagin signed the deal, which the Foreign Ministry described as a step toward completing withdrawal procedures.

Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Abbudi also announced that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani secured an agreement during his U.S. visit to continue cash dollar shipments to Iraq. A new shipment is expected in the coming days, facilitated by improved Iraqi banking compliance mechanisms.