On 19 September, government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said the 30 September end of the US-led coalition’s military mission against ISIS would be a “sovereign milestone.” He said relations with coalition member states would shift to bilateral partnerships based on Iraqi sovereignty and mutual interests; press reporting said remaining US troops and equipment were expected to leave Iraq by the end of September.
- The Express Tribune19 Sept, 11:12
“The date represents a “sovereign milestone,” and relations with coalition states will shift to bilateral partnerships based on respect for Iraqi sovereignty and mutual interests.”
Date represents ‘sovereign milestone,’ relations with coalition states shift to bilateral partnerships... based on respect for Iraqi sovereignty and mutual interests.
- The Times of India19 Sept, 00:30
“The United States is preparing to complete the withdrawal of its remaining forces from Iraq by September 30; the drawdown has included troops and equipment moving out of Iraqi Kurdistan.”
The United States is preparing to complete the withdrawal of its remaining forces from Iraq by September 30... The drawdown has included troops and equipment moving out of Iraqi Kurdistan.
The state’s formulation distinguishes termination of the coalition mission from the continuation of country-to-country ties, setting a narrower benchmark for what changes on 30 September.