IRAQI Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi confirmed Thursday the complete and final withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq, declaring the full realization of national sovereignty.
In a statement addressing the nation, al-Zaidi said October 1 marked the beginning of a "new chapter in Iraq's journey."
He also said that October 1 marked the start of a process to address the issue of weapons outside state control under a roadmap extending no later than June 30, 2027.
"The government will work toward the complete disarmament of all non-Iraqi armed groups present on Iraqi territory, in a manner that safeguards the country's security and stability and ensures control of its borders," al-Zaidi said.
The remarks came a day after he officially announced the conclusion of the U.S.-led coalition's mission to combat the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq.
The U.S.-led coalition was formed in 2014 to assist Iraqi forces in fighting the IS after the extremist group seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria.
Iraqi forces, backed by the coalition, later defeated the group's territorial presence in Iraq in 2017, while the coalition continued operations against its remaining armed fighters.
