A New Era in Iraq: Al-Sudani’s Bold Move to End US Coalition Presence Amid Regional Tensions
The recent developments in Iraq, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s announcement to begin the process of ending the presence of the US-led coalition in the country, mark a significant shift in the Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape. This move comes in the wake of a US drone strike in Baghdad that killed a pro-Iran commander and another member of Harakat al-Nujaba, a faction of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), which is officially recognized as part of Iraq’s security apparatus.
The Iraqi government’s decision appears to be a reaction to rising regional tensions and the actions of the US-led coalition. The PMF, formed in 2014 to combat the Islamic State, is mainly composed of Shi’ite Muslim armed groups and has become an integral part of the Iraqi armed forces. The targeted killing of a senior PMF commander by the coalition forces has been condemned by the Iraqi government as an act of “blatant aggression”.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani, whose government is supported by Tehran-aligned parties, has stated his firm position on ending the existence of the international coalition in Iraq. This stance is underpinned by the view that the justifications for the coalition’s presence, primarily the fight against the Islamic State, have ended. This move also seems to be influenced by the dynamics of internal Iraqi politics, where Iran-aligned factions form a powerful bloc in the governing coalition.
The situation is further complicated by the broader context of Middle Eastern politics, particularly the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq and Syria, who are opposed to Israel’s campaign in Gaza, hold the US partly responsible and have launched over 100 attacks on US forces in Iraq and neighboring Syria since mid-October. These developments highlight the interconnected nature of regional conflicts and the challenges faced by the US in maintaining its presence and influence in the Middle East.
The US, on its part, maintains that its troops, numbering around 2,500 in Iraq and 900 in Syria, are on a mission to advise and assist local forces to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State. However, the recent developments indicate a growing dissatisfaction and pushback from the Iraqi government and aligned forces against the continued presence of US-led coalition forces in the region.
