Overview
- The U.S.-led coalition will complete its mission and withdraw forces by September 30, a deadline Iraqi officials describe as a transfer to full national security responsibility.
- Prime Minister Ali Fallah al‑Zaydi on Monday unveiled a public plan to disarm Iran‑aligned militias that begins with a 90‑day restraint period and sets June 30, 2027 as the deadline for weapons handovers.
- The Kurdistan Region announced on September 21 that it has unified all Peshmerga formations under the regional Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs to improve coordination with Baghdad and regular armed forces.
- An explosion near Erbil on September 20 was attributed to military training and caused no reported danger, while officials warned that practical disarmament will face political pushback from entrenched militia networks.
- Mr. al‑Zaydi warned the wider U.S.–Iran war has cost Iraq heavily—reporting roughly 60% lost export revenue and about $60 billion in damages—which raises stakes for Baghdad's security, economic choices and reliance on foreign partners.