Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Friday his intention to initiate a dialogue aimed at discussing the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq. This announcement followed an American strike in Baghdad on Thursday that resulted in the death of an Iraqi militia leader.
Al-Sudani emphasized in his address that the agreement permitting the presence of American troops in Iraq underscores the equal sovereignty of both nations. He asserted that this principle was breached by the U.S. strike, prompting the need for discussions on the removal of the U.S. military presence in the country.
“We have repeatedly emphasized that in the event of a violation or transgression by any Iraqi party, or if Iraqi law is violated, the Iraqi government is the only party that has the right to follow up on the merits of these violations,” al-Sudani said in remarks shared by his office.
“We reiterate our steadfast and principled stance in terminating the presence of the international coalition now that its initial justifications no longer apply,” he emphasized. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed
The prime minister disclosed that he is currently initiating a bilateral dialogue with the United States to address the withdrawal of approximately 2,500 American troops from his country.
“This commitment is non-negotiable for the government, ensuring comprehensive national sovereignty over Iraq’s land, airspace, and waters,” he asserted.
The recent U.S. strike, conducted on Thursday, resulted in the death of Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, the leader of the Iranian-backed militia group Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (HHN), near a security headquarters in Baghdad.
HHN operates within the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iranian proxy groups and militias in Iraq. These Iranian-affiliated entities have consistently targeted U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria, and the Red Sea, particularly following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict.