Khazali, Iraqi PM meet to discuss US troop withdrawal

BAGHDAD — Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais al-Khazali met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Baghdad to discuss political and security issues, stressing the need to move forward with the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.

Khazali’s office said the meeting reviewed “the latest political and security developments in the country, stressing the need for national efforts to safeguard stability and strengthen internal unity.”

The statement added that discussions “addressed the issue of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, with an emphasis on moving forward with practical steps to achieve this national obligation in a way that preserves sovereignty and enhances security.”

In August 2025, Iraq said it will end the U.S.-led coalition’s mission in September and shift to bilateral security partnerships by 2026. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s adviser Hussein Allawi said coalition headquarters in Baghdad and Ain al-Asad will close next month, with the transition continuing under the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Agreement. The plan aims to build Iraq’s armed forces while moving cooperation with coalition countries into long-term defense, advisory, and counter-ISIS partnerships.

Full statement from Al-Khazali’s statement:

Sheikh al-Ameen received Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and both affirmed the importance of protecting stability and ending foreign presence.

The Secretary-General of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, Sheikh Qais al-Khazali, welcomed Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani at his office in Baghdad.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the latest political and security developments in the country, stressing the need for national efforts to safeguard stability and strengthen internal unity.

The talks also addressed the issue of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, with an emphasis on moving forward with practical steps to achieve this national obligation in a way that preserves sovereignty and enhances security.

In another part of the meeting, preparations for the upcoming elections were reviewed, with both sides underlining the importance of creating the conditions necessary to ensure their success and to reflect the will of the Iraqi people, thereby guaranteeing a fair and sound conclusion to the electoral process.