Russia Welcomes Full Withdrawal Of US-Led Coalition Forces From Iraq
Moscow says the complete withdrawal of international Coalition forces from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region marks a positive development, while asserting that Iraqi security forces are capable of independently confronting ISIS remnants.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Russia has welcomed the completion of the US-led international Coalition’s military mission in Iraq, with Moscow saying Iraqi security forces have reached a level that allows them to independently defend the country and confront terrorist threats.
Speaking on Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova addressed the conclusion of the Coalition’s military mission in Iraq on Sept. 30, saying Moscow viewed the development positively and welcomed the full handover of Coalition military bases, particularly those located in the Kurdistan Region.
Zakharova said the withdrawal implements a decision adopted by the Iraqi Parliament in January 2020, which she described as reflecting the Iraqi people’s desire to restore national sovereignty after years of foreign military forces remaining on Iraqi territory.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also criticized Washington’s policies, saying the US military presence in Iraq began in 2003 through an invasion based on what she described as a completely fabricated pretext.
According to Zakharova, the result was prolonged instability and complications across the region that continued for decades.
Zakharova stressed that Iraq’s security forces and military have reached a level at which they can fully and independently protect their national security and respond to terrorist threats from ISIS and other groups.
She said Iraq’s security can be achieved through good-neighborly relations and coordination among countries in the region.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also reiterated Moscow’s proposal for a collective security concept in the Gulf, emphasizing that regional countries should themselves work to preserve peace and stability without foreign military intervention.
Russia’s remarks come after the completion of the Coalition’s military mission in Iraq, including the withdrawal of its remaining forces and the handover of its military facilities, particularly those in the Kurdistan Region.