Erbil:The spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah Al-Numan, announced on Tuesday that the decision to conclude the International Coalition’s mission was founded on detailed security and professional evaluations. He confirmed that all aerial operations targeting terrorist threats are now executed solely by the Iraqi Air Force.

According to Iraqi News Agency, Al-Numan made these remarks at the “MERI 2026” forum in Erbil, attended by an Iraqi News Agency correspondent. He clarified that the departure of the International Coalition was a strategic move based on the proven capabilities of Iraq’s national forces, including the Army, Police, Peshmerga, and Counter-Terrorism Service, to handle the security responsibilities independently.

Al-Numan further emphasized that since the start of 2026, the Iraqi Air Force has been leading all aerial operations and reconnaissance missions without any foreign assistance. He also addressed the government’s efforts to centralize control over weaponry, asserting that these measures are part of ongoing plans to ensure security stability and uphold the rule of law.