Al-nu’man: The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah Al-Numan, confirmed on Wednesday that the withdrawal process for the coalition forces is taking place in direct coordination with the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and is proceeding at an accelerated pace according to the set timetables until the deadline of September 30th.
According to Iraqi News Agency, the German forces that recently completed their withdrawal from Erbil were a crucial component of the international coalition formed in 2014 during the entry of Daesh terrorist gangs. Their mission primarily focused on training Iraqi and Peshmerga forces, armament programs, and conducting air reconnaissance operations. Al-Numan told Al-Iraqia News TV that these forces gradually reduced their numbers until the completion of the withdrawal process, a move closely coordinated with the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, which supervises the mechanisms of transfer and departure by land or air.
Regarding the future of bases and sites utilized by the German forces, Al-Numan confirmed that the sites at Erbil airport will be handed over to the airport authority, while other military bases will be transferred to the Peshmerga forces. This process mirrors previous experiences, such as the handover of Ain al-Assad and Balad bases to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense after the completion of coalition tasks.
Al-Numan also addressed the future relationship with coalition countries post-September 30, revealing a directive by the Commander-in-Chief to form a specialized committee. This committee will develop mechanisms to define the future relationship, ensuring continued coordination and joint cooperation, particularly in intelligence, information exchange, and armament programs.
He concluded by emphasizing that all departures and withdrawals adhere to precise security procedures and continuous coordination to secure roads and destinations, following official approvals and daily reports submitted directly to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.