Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi announced on Friday that all American military personnel have left the country, including those serving in advisory capacities, as his government moves to place all weapons under exclusive state control by June 2027.
Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Al-Zaidi said the withdrawal of foreign troops had eliminated a key justification previously used by armed factions to maintain their weapons outside government authority.
He emphasised that Baghdad’s decision to establish a state monopoly over weapons was definitive and would not be reversed.
“By June 30, 2027, there will be no weapons outside the framework of the state,” the prime minister declared.
Al-Zaidi revealed that his administration had already reached agreements concerning weapons held by three armed factions, while negotiations with four additional groups were continuing.
The government aims to complete the process by its June 30 deadline, bringing weapons held by non-state organisations under official control.
“Iraq is a state that has factions, not factions that own a state,” he said, underscoring his administration’s position that armed groups must operate within the authority of national institutions.
The prime minister also recalled a period when Iraq had faced the possibility of severe international isolation.
According to Al-Zaidi, the country had been only days away from potential diplomatic restrictions, including the withdrawal of foreign embassies.
He said some Western governments had believed that armed factions had effectively gained control over Iraqi state institutions, but maintained that his administration had succeeded in averting the crisis.
Despite announcing the complete departure of American troops, Al-Zaidi stressed that Iraq remained committed to developing its strategic relationship with the United States.
He explained that Baghdad had chosen Washington as a strategic partner because of its technological expertise and economic capabilities.
The prime minister said American companies had already begun operating in Iraq and implementing projects across areas of bilateral cooperation.
He also highlighted the importance of expanding Iraq’s energy sector alongside closer economic ties with the United States.
According to Al-Zaidi, these initiatives would strengthen Iraq’s regional and international influence and place the country in a more prominent position than in previous years.
The government’s announcements reflect its stated intention to consolidate state authority over armed groups while maintaining economic and diplomatic cooperation with international partners.