By Abdul Jabar Abu Ras
BAGHDAD (AA) - Iraq’s prime minister announced Friday the formation of a bilateral committee to arrange the ending of international coalition forces in the country and affirmed Baghdad's steadfast and principled stance toward achieving that goal.
It came in a speech delivered by Mohammed Al-Sudani during a memorial ceremony organized by the Popular Mobilization Forces on the fourth anniversary of the death of the former commander of the Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, and the Deputy Head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and their companions.
On Jan. 3, 2020, Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in a US airstrike near Baghdad.
“The attack violated all norms, charters, and laws governing Iraq-US relations, branding it a heinous and unjustified crime,” said Al-Sudani.
The Iraqi News Agency, INA, said the prime minister said: “The Popular Mobilization Forces stand as an official entity affiliated with the state, operating under its authority, and constituting an integral part of our armed forces.
“We have consistently emphasized that in case of any violation or transgression by an Iraqi party, or a breach of Iraqi law, the sole authority to address these issues rests with the Iraqi government,” he said.
Al-Sudani pointed out that “the government is the authorized body to enforce the law, and everyone is required to operate through it. Respecting Iraq's sovereignty is paramount, and no one should infringe upon it.”
He also stressed: “We steadfastly assert our principled stance to conclude the presence of coalition forces, given that the justifications for their existence have ended.”
“We are currently in the process of scheduling the commencement of dialogue through the bilateral committee tasked with establishing arrangements for the conclusion of this presence. This commitment by the government is unwavering, ensuring the pursuit of complete national sovereignty over Iraq's land, sky, and waters.”
*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala