On 20 September, Shafaq News reported that Reconstruction and Development Coalition head Bahaa al-Araji said U.S. forces would remain after the coalition mission ended to protect the U.S. embassy, diplomatic missions and U.S. interests. He distinguished that presence from the coalition mission scheduled to end on 30 September and described regulation of weapons outside state control as an Iraqi decision.
- Shafaq News20 Sept, 16:31
“U.S. forces will remain in Iraq after the coalition mission ends to protect the U.S. embassy, diplomatic missions and U.S. interests; regulating weapons outside state control is an Iraqi decision.”
ستبقى القوات الأمريكية في العراق بعد انتهاء مهمة التحالف لحماية السفارة الأمريكية والبعثات الدبلوماسية والمصالح الأمريكية ... تنظيم السلاح خارج الدولة قرار عراقي
a government confirmation of the protective mission, a published Baghdad-Washington agreement, direct faction responses, or deployment details by 30 September; any of these moves this file.