Baghdad:The official announcement of the end of the international coalition’s mission to fight ISIS in Iraq was prominently featured in Iraqi newspapers on Thursday, alongside discussions on national sovereignty, state control over weapons, and efforts to enhance political and security stability.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the semi-official Al-Sabah newspaper highlighted that the modern concept of Iraqi sovereignty involves more than just the presence or withdrawal of foreign forces. It includes the state’s ability to exercise control over political, security, military, and economic decisions and to manage foreign relations according to national interests.

The newspaper emphasized Iraq’s challenging position due to its geographic location and complex regional and international relationships, which require a balanced approach to maintain the independence of its national decision-making. Military and security experts, along with political analysts, argue that building Iraqi sovereignty necessitates unifying political and security decision-making and ensuring state control over weapons and decisions of war and peace. This also involves economic strengthening, income diversification, and expanding foreign partnerships.

Al-Zaman – Iraq Edition reported that Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zeidi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, announced the official completion of the international coalition’s mission to fight ISIS. He stressed that Iraq is entering a new phase, assuming full responsibility for its security and stability and ensuring that weapons remain under legal authority.

The newspaper also mentioned that Shiite National Movement leader Muqtada Al-Sadr directed the dissolution of the Promised Day Brigade and the transformation of the Imam Mahdi Army into the Ansar Al-Imam Al-Mahdi organization. Al-Zaidi, in remarks on Sovereignty Day, stated that cooperation between Iraqi forces and friendly countries contributed to defeating ISIS. He noted that the mobilization of the Iraqi people alongside the armed forces marked a new phase of military reorganization and initiative, supported by friendly nations.

Al-Zaidi affirmed that the Joint Operations Command had been the center of coordination, intelligence gathering, planning, and command against terrorism. He stressed that the end of the coalition’s mission marks Iraq’s transition to fully managing its security, with the Joint Operations Command’s duties now under the Commander-in-Chief’s office.

In a separate report, Al-Zawraa highlighted a meeting involving President Nizar Amidi, Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi, Parliament Speaker Haibat Al-Halbousi, and Chief Justice Faiq Zaidan. This meeting focused on state control over weapons, combating corruption, and completing the government cabinet. The Prime Minister’s Media Office reported that the meeting discussed national and regional developments and stressed the importance of consolidating security and political stability, improving public services, and strengthening state institutions.

The prime minister also briefed the meeting on his participation in the United Nations General Assembly and meetings with international leaders, aiming to strengthen Iraq’s international relations and shared interests.