Iraq Sets September 30 Deadline for Coalition Forces Withdrawal, Invites Macron to Baghdad

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi has set September 30 as the definitive date for the departure of international coalition forces from Iraqi territory.

Discussions with the French presidency

In a telephone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, al-Zaidi reviewed bilateral relations between Iraq and France and explored avenues to expand cooperation across multiple sectors.

The conversation covered several shared priorities, including economic and investment collaboration in Iraq, opportunities available to French companies, regional developments, and joint initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions and reinforcing security and stability.

Economic partnership priorities

Al-Zaidi underscored the strategic importance of Iraq–France relations and extended an invitation to President Macron to travel to Iraq. He emphasized the need for coordinated action to establish a durable economic and investment partnership that serves the mutual interests of both nations.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening national stability and positioning Iraq as an influential economic and political actor in the region—leveraging its natural resources, strategic location, and role as a nexus connecting international trade routes.