UN Envoy in Iraq Marks 2003 Baghdad Bombing Anniversary, Confirms Mission to End in December

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Mohamed al-Hassan, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said Tuesday that the UN mission in the country will conclude by the end of this year, while reaffirming the organization’s commitment to continue assisting the Iraqi people through its specialized agencies. His remarks came during a Baghdad event commemorating the deadly 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in the Iraqi capital.

Speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday, envoy Hassan confirmed that UNAMI will formally end its mandate on December 31, 2025, in line with a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council in March 2024. However, he stressed that the UN’s humanitarian and development programs in Iraq will remain active.

“Although UNAMI’s mission will come to an end, the work of UN agencies in Iraq will continue without interruption, in cooperation with the Iraqi people,” Hassan said.

Reflecting on the devastating 2003 attack carried out by the al-Qaeda terrorist group, Hassan recalled how the blast destroyed the UN compound in Baghdad, killing envoy Sérgio Vieira de Mello and several colleagues, and injuring more than 150 others. “It was one of the darkest days in UN history, a painful reminder of the risks our staff face in serving humanity,” he said.

Hassan also highlighted the heavy toll borne by UN personnel globally, pointing to the deaths of 310 humanitarian workers in Gaza and Sudan last year alone. “Despite the threats, we have remained committed to supporting Iraq, and we will continue our cooperation with its people,” he added.

The Security Council resolution passed in March 2024 set a final deadline for UNAMI’s operations, ending more than two decades of direct UN involvement in Iraq following the US-led freedom operation that toppled Saddam Hussein's regime. After December 31, 2025, all mission-related activities will cease, but the UN has pledged to maintain development, humanitarian, and human rights support through its agencies.

Established in 2003, UNAMI has played a central role in Iraq’s post-war transition. The mission provided critical support for drafting Iraq’s constitution, organizing national elections, mediating between rival political blocs, and facilitating dialogue between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region.

It also assisted in humanitarian relief and rebuilding efforts during periods of intense violence, including the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). Over the years, UNAMI became a trusted international partner in advancing human rights, governance, and reconciliation, leaving a lasting legacy despite its imminent closure.