Iraq declares ISIS no longer a threat, focus shifts to bilateral relations

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has announced that the Islamic State (ISIS) no longer poses a significant threat to Iraq, signaling a shift in focus from counterterrorism efforts to broader international relations.

In a meeting with Major General Kevin C. Leahy, commander of the US-led coalition against ISIS, and US Ambassador to Iraq Alina L. Romanowski, al-Sudani emphasized that the remnants of ISIS have been reduced to small gangs, which are now being actively pursued by Iraqi forces in remote areas of the country.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister's office, the discussions centered on the ongoing technical dialogue between Iraq and the international coalition, with an emphasis on ending the coalition's mission in Iraq. The talks also included plans to transition the coalition's role to a more bilateral framework, focusing on cooperation in areas such as training, intelligence sharing, and security collaboration with Iraqi forces.

Earlier this year, on January 25, Iraq's foreign ministry announced an agreement with the United States to establish a High-Level Military Committee. This committee will oversee the conclusion of the international coalition’s mission in Iraq and will work towards strengthening comprehensive bilateral relations with coalition member states in political, economic, cultural, security, and military spheres.