Iraq faces sovereignty test as US-led military coalition exit nears

The United States-led international military coalition will conclude its mission in Iraq by the end of this month, the country’s armed forces have confirmed to state media.Lieutenant General Abdul Amir al-Shammari, director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, in a statement to the Iraqi News Agency on Monday, said September 30 is the date for the end of the mission of the international coalition forces in Iraq and the transition to a new chapter of relations and cooperation.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4After six months of war, what have US, Iran gained and lost?list 2 of 4Mapping Iran war’s strikes on Gulf energy and its impact on future of oillist 3 of 4What is Iran’s Castle Breaker missile, used against US bases?list 4 of 4Iran touts military response as US maintains blockade, hits tankersend of listEarlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s security adviser, Qasim al-Araji, had confirmed that the US-led international military coalition would conclude its mission in the country this month.Under a 2024 agreement between Baghdad and Washington, the withdrawal includes the removal of US air defence systems stationed in Erbil, the capital o...