[REVISION HISTORY]

Iraq advances $60bn deals amid coalition troop withdrawal

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2026-09-06 21:09 UTC → 2026-09-10 16:44 UTC · added ~~removed~~

As the September 30, 2026, deadline for the U.S.-led coalition’s withdrawal approaches, the Iraqi government has reaffirmed that the date remains an “immovable deadline.” Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has rejected proposals to allow any coalition troops to remain beyond this date, emphasizing that the departure is a fixed commitment intended to prevent Iraq from being drawn into regional conflicts. This withdrawal marks the conclusion of a 23-year military presence. Following a White House visit by Prime Minister al-Zaidi, Iraq and the United States have moved to advance approximately $60 billion in economic deals covering energy, technology, and health. A primary focus is the revival of the 850-kilometer Kirkuk–Baniyas oil pipeline, a project that could be led by Chevron and aims to provide an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. While President Donald Trump indicated Iraq is prepared to operate without U.S. troops by the end of September, the transition faces security hurdles regarding the disarmament of pro-Iran militias, such as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). Although the Iraqi government seeks to integrate these groups into official state structures, hardline factions have signaled they will neither disarm nor join the state apparatus. ~~Baghdad has clarified that~~ In the ~~September 30 date specifically marks~~ Kurdistan region, the ~~departure of~~ withdrawal has commenced, with forces transferring daily to locations outside Iraq. Simultaneously, officials from Turkey, Iraq, and the ~~international coalition rather than~~ Kurdistan Regional Government are meeting in Erbil to coordinate a ~~deadline~~ plan for ~~militia disarmament.~~ approximately 4,200 members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to lay down their arms. This plan involves vacating 18 specific sites, including camps in Amedi, Zakho, and Mount Korek, under a joint monitoring mechanism. Domestically, al-Zaidi continues to focus on consolidating the state’s monopoly on force and dismantling armed ~~factions. This includes~~ factions through the “Saulat al-Fajr” (Dawn Raid) anti-corruption ~~campaign, which has reportedly resulted in the seizure of approximately $1 billion in assets and the arrest of various high-ranking officials.~~ campaign.

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