ISIS invaded Iraq in Summer 2014. It swept across the Sunni cities of Iraq, preying on anger among locals who resented then-premier Nouri al-Maliki. Maliki was close to Iran and was thought to be suppressing Sunni Arabs.
ISIS conquered the city of Mosul in June 2014, and in August, it began massacring the Yazidis in what would become an eventual genocide. ISIS went on to decimate Iraq’s military. Thousands of military vehicles, many of which were supplied by the US, fell into ISIS’s hands.
Iraq asked the US for help. The US left Iraq in 2011, but the Obama administration nonetheless wanted to help. Thus, three years after its departure, the US returned to Iraq, this time to join the fight against ISIS.
Today, over a decade later, the US is leaving Iraq again. The Iraqi News Agency (INA) said: “September 30 represents a significant historic milestone in Iraq’s path toward completing its national sovereignty and strengthening the independence of its political and economic decision-making.”
Iraq is treating this like a victory over the US. Instead of thanking the US for its help, Iraq is treating the US like it’s the problem. ISIS isn’t the problem here – the US is.
INA said: “The importance of this step extends beyond its security and political dimensions to highlight the state’s ability to capitalize on this transition to improve the economic environment. Experts and lawmakers see the success of this phase as dependent on the ability to uphold the rule of law, provide a secure environment for investors, and undertake structural reforms that strengthen the confidence of domestic and foreign capital in the Iraqi economy.”
Why does Iraq think the US leaving is good?
Why is it like this? The US assisted, trained, and equipped the Iraqi army. US soldiers fought ISIS and helped Iraq recover. Only just recently, Iraq’s prime minister was in the US, seeking energy investments and other deals. So, why is the coalition deemed the problem, instead of being given the applause that it deserves?
Iraqi Parliament member Nasser Turki told INA that “September 30 represents an important historic day, marking the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Iraq, and this will have a positive impact on attracting foreign investment opportunities.” He added that “the state’s strategic plans will focus on working in the service, economic, industrial, and agricultural sectors while taking into account the interests of its people.”
The Security Media Cell, a kind of confab of Iraqi security news that is also official and run by Lieutenant-General Saad Maan, said: “Sovereignty Day represents a new chapter in Iraq’s relations with the countries of the world, based on shared interests in accordance with Iraq’s vision and the interests of its people. It reflects the ability of the state and its institutions to assume responsibility for protecting the country and confronting security challenges, thereby strengthening citizens’ confidence in the security and military institutions.”
Meanwhile, The National in the UAE noted that the US and Iraq signed a deal to transfer diplomatic and logistical facilities at Baghdad airport to the Iraqis. This site had often been targeted by Iran and Iran-backed militias. In fact, Iran has attacked Iraq more than 1,000 times, and primarily targeted the Kurdistan region. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq executed over 600 attacks against other groups.
Iran's influence in Iraq also impacts withdrawal
There is another angle to the US’s withdrawal from Iraq. Iran still believes the US has far too much influence in Iraq. Iran wants the US away from Iraq and the Gulf, and will view the US’s departure as a win. Rudaw Media noted that Hossein Shariatmadari, representative of Iran’s supreme leader, accused Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Tuesday of accepting and implementing US sanctions against Iranian airlines.
Rudaw also reported that the “Kurdistan region’s Peshmerga Affairs Ministry on Monday warned that the planned withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq on September 30 comes at a ‘sensitive time,’ as Baghdad and Washington proceed with a joint agreement to end the military mission in the country, including operations in the Kurdistan region.”
Meanwhile, Iranian-backed militias have hinted at their increased role. This comes at a time when they’re supposed to be disarming. However, Hezbollah “warned Monday that it would shoot down ‘hostile’ aircraft violating Iraqi airspace after the US-led Global Coalition completes its military withdrawal from Iraq this week,” Rudaw said.
Currently, the Kurdistan region appears to lack some of the defenses the coalition had provided in the past. It’s still unclear how many of their air defenses remain. In the past, Baghdad has refused to provide the Kurdistan region with air defenses. Thus, the US’s departure has left many Kurds feeling concerned.
North Press media reported that “Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani warned of the repercussions and dangers of the withdrawal of US and international coalition forces from Iraq, according to Kurdistan 24.”
It remains to be seen what comes next. However, Iraq depicting the US’s withdrawal as a victory points to its failure to value the US’s contributions. It is unclear what Iraq will do after the US has left its shores, and when – or how – Iran could take advantage of it.