ALBAWABA- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani outlined a comprehensive vision for Iraq’s sovereignty and stability in an interview with Reuters, tying the disarmament of powerful militias to the full withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces by September 2026.
His remarks, delivered just days before pivotal provincial elections, underscore Iraq’s effort to balance foreign influence, internal security, and political reform more than twenty years after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
Sudani said that disarming Iran-backed factions within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which are formally part of Iraq’s security structure but retain substantial autonomy, cannot occur while foreign troops remain. “There is no ISIS. Security and stability? Thank God, they exist,” he said. “So give me the excuse for the presence of 86 states [in the coalition].”
He vowed to implement a “clear program” after the withdrawal to bring all weapons under state authority, giving armed groups the option to either integrate into official forces or participate in politics.
Rejecting comparisons to Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Sudani added, “The situation here is different. Iraq’s position is clear — to maintain stability and sovereignty.”
The timeline aligns with a U.S.-Iraq agreement for a phased coalition drawdown beginning in 2025 and concluding by late 2026, as the threat from ISIS has largely subsided. While pressing for military independence, Sudani affirmed Iraq’s continued economic cooperation with U.S. companies, highlighting partnerships with Chevron, ExxonMobil, and GE on major energy projects.
Amid this backdrop, Sudani is campaigning vigorously ahead of the November 11 provincial elections, presenting himself as a “builder-in-chief” focused on governance and growth. He pointed to the completion of over 2,500 infrastructure projects, a $150 billion national budget, and the recruitment of nearly one million public sector workers to address unemployment and corruption.
Voter turnout, which fell to 40% in recent elections from 80% two decades ago, is expected to rise as public frustration mounts over governance and basic services. “We expect a significant victory,” Sudani said, expressing confidence in securing a second term to advance reforms aimed at achieving gas self-sufficiency by 2027, cutting reliance on Iranian imports, and ending flared gas losses that cost Iraq billions each year.
