Masrour Barzani condemns US military withdrawal from Iraq

US military withdrawal Kurdistan Regional Government Masrour Barzani air defense systems Iraq security

Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq, has condemned the upcoming withdrawal of US-led coalition forces as 'shameful.' Speaking to the Financial Times, Barzani warned that the region is increasingly vulnerable to attacks and lacks an adequate defense mechanism.

Barzani noted that the KRG is legally unable to procure its own air defense systems, as that authority is reserved for the central government in Baghdad. This security concern is heightened by the reported removal of Patriot air defense systems from Erbil by US forces.

The withdrawal process, which was agreed upon in 2024, is scheduled to conclude by September 30. To facilitate the transition, the Iraqi government has declared official holidays from September 30 to October 3. The region has already experienced significant instability, including numerous missile and drone strikes since February.

Entities

Erbil · Iraq · Kurdistan Regional Government · Masrour Barzani · Masrur Barzani · United States · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] Masrour Barzani described the imminent withdrawal of US forces from Iraq as 'shameful'. www.gazetebirlik.com · agerpres.ro · n1info.hr · www.upday.com · vijesti.hrt.hr
[● 4 SOURCES] The Kurdistan region has faced numerous missile and drone attacks since February. agerpres.ro · n1info.hr · www.upday.com · vijesti.hrt.hr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The international coalition's main headquarters in Iraq will officially close on September 30. www.gazetebirlik.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Iraqi government declared official holidays from September 30 to October 3 to facilitate the withdrawal process. www.gazetebirlik.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] US forces are removing Patriot air defense systems from Erbil as part of the withdrawal. www.gazetebirlik.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The withdrawal of US forces from Iraq is scheduled to be completed by September 30. agerpres.ro · n1info.hr · www.upday.com · vijesti.hrt.hr
[● 4 SOURCES] The Kurdistan Regional Government is unable to purchase its own air defense systems, as this authority belongs to the central government in Baghdad. agerpres.ro · n1info.hr · www.upday.com · vijesti.hrt.hr
[● 5 SOURCES] Barzani warned that the Kurdish region is vulnerable to attacks without an adequate defense system. www.gazetebirlik.com · agerpres.ro · n1info.hr · www.upday.com · vijesti.hrt.hr