Iraqi Resistance Groups Welcome US Withdrawal, Call for Air Defense Strengthening

Iraqi resistance group Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq has welcomed the end of the US military presence in Iraq after more than two decades, describing the withdrawal as an “important milestone” toward restoring the country’s sovereignty. In a statement on Wednesday, the group called on Baghdad to acquire advanced air defense systems to protect Iraqi airspace and urged the withdrawal of Turkish forces from positions in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

The group said the end of the US military mission followed a lengthy political process but also attributed the withdrawal to what it described as the sacrifices and resistance of Iraqis seeking to end foreign military deployment. Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq also called for an end to what it described as Washington’s financial and economic leverage over Iraqi assets, arguing that the conclusion of the military presence should be followed by greater Iraqi control over the country’s economic affairs.

Meanwhile, Kata’ib Hezbollah questioned whether the US withdrawal had been fully completed, claiming that American reconnaissance and fighter aircraft were still operating in Iraqi airspace. The group said its intelligence units had documented what it called violations and claimed that some US forces could remain in Iraq until October 30, though it did not provide independent evidence for the claim. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, however, has said the September 30 deadline for ending the US-led coalition’s military presence and completing the troop withdrawal is “fixed and final.”