Iraq Forms ‘Military Committee’ to Schedule US Withdrawal

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares Bueno during a press conference (Foreign Ministry media office)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares Bueno during a press conference (Foreign Ministry media office)
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Iraq Forms ‘Military Committee’ to Schedule US Withdrawal

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares Bueno during a press conference (Foreign Ministry media office)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares Bueno during a press conference (Foreign Ministry media office)

Iraq announced the success of negotiations with the US government to launch a Higher Military Committee to set a timetable for a phased withdrawal of the troops and ending the US-led international coalition’s presence in the country.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the move comes "in fulfillment of its national obligations and in line with the growing capacity and efficiency of the Iraqi government," declaring the success of the ongoing negotiations with the US.
The statement explained that the negotiations concluded with the "necessity of launching the Higher Military Committee (HMC) at the level of working groups to evaluate the threat and danger of ISIS and the situational and operational requirements."
The two parties also agreed on strengthening the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces "to put a clear timeline that specifies the duration of the presence of the US-led international coalition's advisors in Iraq."
The statement added that one of the committee's goals is to start "the gradual and deliberate reduction of its advisors in Iraq , ending the military mission of the coalition against ISIS, and shifting to comprehensive bilateral relations with the coalition countries."
Iraq renewed its commitment to maintain the "safety of the international coalition's advisors during the negotiation period in all parts of the country, and maintaining stability and preventing escalation."
Earlier, the State Administration Coalition, an alliance of Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish political parties, held a meeting and called on all countries to respect Iraq's sovereignty and ensure its internal security is not threatened.
During the meeting, the coalition denounced and rejected all attacks on Iraqi territory, calling on all countries to respect Iraq's sovereignty.
The coalition affirmed its support for government efforts aimed at conducting bilateral dialogue with the international coalition to redetermine the relationship, with the end of its unique mission to assist Iraq in its war against the terrorist organization.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed Spain's role in the international coalition with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares Bueno.
Spain is part of the US-led international coalition tasked with training and advising the Iraqi security forces in their fight against ISIS.
During a joint press conference at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry headquarters in Baghdad, Hussein explained that the Spanish soldiers helped Iraq In its war against ISIS.
He valued Spain's role as a member of the NATO mission and assisting the Iraqi forces.
For his part, the Spanish minister said they discussed military attacks targeting Spanish bases, adding that the two parties will hold meetings with military officials in Baghdad to discuss protecting the military forces.
- Approval after rejection
Earlier, local media reported that Washington had yet to respond to Iraq's request regarding the activation of the bilateral committee to begin the US withdrawal from Iraq, which Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani had announced on Jan. 04.
Sudani chaired a meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security, during which the latest developments in the security situation in Iraq were discussed.
The talks focused on the recent attacks in Iraq, constituting a flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty. It emphasized taking all necessary political, diplomatic, and security measures to protect Iraq's sovereignty and preserve its security.
- Withdrawal scenario
Political science professor at al-Nahrain University Yassin al-Bakri stated that the timing of the message, its circumstances, and the way it was announced suggest that it includes strict definitions about the nature of the US presence in Iraq.
Bakri estimated that the US officials would demand clear and serious commitments regarding the protection of their advisors while holding the Iraqi government responsible for the security, political, and economic repercussions.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that US demands mean Iraq may pay the price.
He explained that it was essential to consider how political forces would view a tense relationship with the US.
It is clear that there is no consensus on the withdrawal request, said the expert, noting that Sunnis and Kurds want the US forces to remain in Iraq, and there are parties within the Coordination Framework that understand the repercussions of this move.
He explained that the conflict now is between the concept of "state and non-state," linking the domestic interest with the repercussions of the escalation in Iran.



Israel Launches Heavy Airstrikes in Damascus, Vowing to Protect Druze

Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI
Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI
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Israel Launches Heavy Airstrikes in Damascus, Vowing to Protect Druze

Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI
Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI

Israel launched powerful airstrikes in Damascus on Wednesday, blowing up part of the defense ministry and hitting near the presidential palace as it vowed to destroy government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria and demanded they withdraw. 

The attacks marked a significant Israeli escalation against the administration of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. They came despite his warming ties with the US and his administration's evolving security contacts with Israel. 

Describing Syria's new rulers as barely disguised extremists, Israel has said it will not let them move forces into southern Syria and vowed to shield the area's Druze community from attack, encouraged by calls from Israel's own Druze minority. 

The US said the fighting would stop soon. 

"We have engaged all the parties involved in the clashes in Syria. We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media. 

The United Nations Security Council will meet on Thursday to address the conflict, diplomats said. 

"The council must condemn the barbaric crimes committed against innocent civilians on Syrian soil," said Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon. "Israel will continue to act resolutely against any terrorist threat on its borders, anywhere and at any time." 

WARPLANES OVER DAMASCUS 

Scores of people have been killed this week in violence in and around the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, pitting fighters from the Druze minority against government security forces and members of Bedouin tribes. 

Reuters reporters heard warplanes swoop low over the capital and unleash a series of massive strikes mid-afternoon. Columns of smoke rose from the area near the defense ministry. A section of the building was destroyed, the ground strewn with rubble. 

A Syrian medical source said the strikes on the ministry killed five members of the security forces. 

An Israeli military official said the entrance to the military headquarters in Damascus was struck, along with a military target near the presidential palace. The official said Syrian forces were not acting to prevent attacks on Druze and were part of the problem. 

"We will not allow southern Syria to become a terror stronghold," said Eyal Zamir, Israel's military chief of staff. 

Sharaa faces challenges to stitch Syria back together in the face of deep misgivings from groups that fear extremist rule. In March, mass killings of members of the Alawite minority exacerbated the mistrust. 

On Monday, Syrian government troops were dispatched to the Sweida region to quell fighting between Druze fighters and Bedouin armed men. The troops ended up clashing with the Druze militias. 

New clashes broke out in the city, according to a Reuters witness, after the Syrian interior ministry and a Druze leader, Sheikh Yousef Jarbou, said a ceasefire had been reached. 

Sweida residents said they were holed up indoors. "We are surrounded and we hear the fighters screaming ... we're so scared," a resident of Sweida said by phone. 

Cracks of gunfire interspersed by booms could be heard in the background. "We're trying to keep the children quiet so that no one can hear us," the man added, asking not to be identified for fear of reprisals. 

Syria's health ministry said dozens of bodies, including fighters and civilians, had been found in a hospital in the city. 

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said 169 people had been killed in this week's violence. Security sources put the toll at 300. Reuters could not independently verify the tolls. 

Druze, followers of a religion that is an offshoot of Islam, are spread between Syria, Lebanon and Israel. 

Following calls in Israel to help Druze in Syria, scores of Israeli Druze broke through the border fence on Wednesday, linking up with Druze on the Syrian side, a Reuters witness said. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military was working to save the Druze and urged Israeli Druze citizens not to cross the border. The Israeli military said it was working to safely return civilians who had crossed. 

Israeli Druze man Faez Shkeir said he felt helpless watching the violence in Syria. "My family is in Syria - my wife is in Syria, my uncles are from Syria, and my family is in Syria, in Sweida, I don't like to see them being killed. They kicked them out of their homes, they robbed and burned their houses, but I can't do anything," he said. 

A Syrian government statement on Wednesday said those responsible for lawlessness in Sweida would be held accountable. It said the government was committed to protecting the rights of the people in Sweida. 

Sharaa has repeatedly promised to protect minorities.