President Barzani Meets Khamis al-Khanjar, Discusses Iraq’s Next Phase
Meeting focuses on Iraq’s challenges, post-Coalition phase, and political coordination
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — President Masoud Barzani received Khamis al-Khanjar, head of Iraq’s al-Siyada Alliance, and his accompanying delegation on Thursday in Pirmam, where they discussed Iraq’s political situation and the challenges facing the country in the next phase.
During the meeting, Barzani and al-Khanjar exchanged views on the overall situation in Iraq, the challenges facing the country, and efforts to consolidate stability.
The meeting also addressed Iraq’s future following the conclusion of the international Coalition’s mission, with the participants highlighting the importance of coordination and cooperation among Iraq’s political forces and parties.
The discussions come as Iraq enters a new phase following the end of the Coalition’s mission, placing greater emphasis on domestic political coordination and efforts to maintain stability and security.
The U.S.-led Global Coalition formally concluded its military mission in Iraq on Sept. 30, with Coalition forces, including UK personnel, departing Iraq and the Kurdistan Region as part of the transition to new security arrangements led by the Iraqi government.
The UK government said Iraqi Security Forces and the Peshmerga had secured the enduring territorial defeat of ISIS and were positioned to assume primary responsibility for Iraq’s security.
The development comes days after Barzani, in a televised interview with Al Sharqiya TV, reiterated his concern over the possibility of ISIS returning following the withdrawal of Coalition forces.
Recalling his earlier question about what would prevent ISIS from returning if U.S. forces withdrew, Barzani said, “I said it then, and I reiterate it once again right now,” while stressing that ISIS had suffered a major defeat but remained a persistent threat.