Iraq’s security forces held parades in Baghdad and Najaf to celebrate ‘Sovereignty Day’, a national holiday marking the withdrawal of US troops from the country. The remaining soldiers left the country on Wednesday, ending the US-led coalition’s operation against ISIL.
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Italy ends twelve-year military presence in Iraq
The final group had stayed behind to recover and ship out logistical equipment, Crosetto said. Italian forces, along with those of other countries in the Global Coalition and NATO, left Iraq by the September 30 deadline agreed with the Iraqi government.
Crosetto said the withdrawal was „not an Italian decision,“ but part of a new phase agreed with Iraqi authorities and partner countries, in which Iraqi security forces take full responsibility for the country‘s security.
The Global Coalition‘s Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the US-led military campaign against ISIS, will continue to operate from other countries, according to the statement.
Operatives Führungskommando der Bundeswehr: Einladung zum Bildtermin beim Rückkehrerappell der deutschen Kräfte aus ERBIL, Irak
Am Donnerstag, den 01. Oktober 2026, würdigen Staatssekretär Hilmer (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung), Generalleutnant Katz (Kommandierender General Luftwaffentruppenkommando) und die Bundeswehr die Rückkehr der letzten deutschen Kräfte aus Erbil mit einem feierlichen Appell in Wunstorf.
Medienvertreterinnen und Medienvertreter sind herzlich zu diesem Bildtermin eingeladen. Im Anschluss an die Veranstaltung wird seitens des Operativen Führungskommandos der Bundeswehr eine Pressemitteilung im Presseportal erfolgen.
US military withdraws from Iraq after two decades: Report
The US military has completely withdrawn from Iraq, DPA reported on 27 September, citing an Iraqi government official.
All US combat troops and logistical support forces have left the country, the official told the German news agency on Sunday.
Iraqi Defence Ministry spokesman tells Al Jazeera US-led coalition forces are out of Iraq
A spokesman for Iraq’s Defence Ministry has told Al Jazeera that no US-led international coalition forces remain in Iraq, one day ahead of the coalition’s planned full withdrawal.
Iraq declares four-day holiday for Sovereignty Days
Iraq is expected to mark the completion of the US-led Coalition’s military withdrawal on September 30, following the handover of its remaining bases and facilities to Iraqi authorities.
Turkish forces to withdraw from strategic military base in northern Iraq
The decision was announced in a joint statement issued after a meeting in New York between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on the margins of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
According to the statement, Turkey will hand over the camp in stages, in line with an agreed timetable.
However, no specific date has yet been set for the withdrawal of Turkish troops.
US: Troop withdrawal from Iraq remains on track for Sept. 30
(September 23, 2026)
The United States remains on course to complete the withdrawal of its military forces from Iraq by September 30, a State Department spokesperson told Shafaq News on Wednesday, one week before the deadline.
Washington is “proceeding with the mutually determined transition timeline for Coalition forces to end military operations in Iraq,” in line with the announced conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led campaign against ISIS.
Iraqi military commander dismissed after drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, prime minister‘s office says
An Iraqi military commander was dismissed early on Saturday after investigations confirmed the latest drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia originated from Iraq, according to a statement by Iraq‘s prime minister‘s office.
The commander led operations in Maysan province in southern Iraq, according to the statement.
Iraq faces sovereignty test as US-led military coalition exit nears
(September 7, 2026)
The United States-led international military coalition will conclude its mission in Iraq by the end of this month, the country’s armed forces have confirmed to state media.
Lieutenant General Abdul Amir al-Shammari, director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, in a statement to the Iraqi News Agency on Monday, said September 30 is the date for the end of the mission of the international coalition forces in Iraq and the transition to a new chapter of relations and cooperation.
Island hat zu Recht „Nein“ zur EU gesagt
War der Beitritt zur EU vor zwanzig oder dreißig Jahren schon eine schlechte Idee, so ist er heute eine unendlich viel schlechtere. Denn die EU von 2026 ist nicht einmal mehr die EU von 2008. Die oligarchische Maschinerie des Blocks – die Sparpolitik, die Technokratie, die Verachtung der Demokratie – hat sich zu etwas weitaus Monströserem gewandelt: zu einer voll entwickelten Kriegsmaschine. Eine Einschätzung von Thomas Fazi zum Ausgang des Referendums in Island zur EU.
Government Confirms Iceland Will Not Restart EU Accession Talks
Iceland’s government has confirmed that it will not continue accession negotiations with the European Union following Saturday’s referendum.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir said the result would be respected and that the issue would not move forward during the current government’s term.
Der Lack ist ab: Island sagt NEIN zur EU
Die Frage war nicht einmal, ob Island der EU beitreten sollte, sondern ob die Beitrittsverhandlungen überhaupt wieder aufgenommen werden sollten. Ein „Ja“ hätte die Verhandlungen ermächtigt; ein eventueller Beitrittsvertrag hätte ein zweites Referendum erfordert. Die isländische Ministerpräsidentin Kristrún Frostadóttir hatte das Referendum versprochen und erklärt, dass die Beitrittsverhandlungen unter ihrer Regierung, die bis 2028 im Amt bleibt, nicht vorankommen würden. Darüber hinaus wird das Parlament unter ihrer Mitte-Links-Regierung prüfen, ob der Beitrittsantrag Islands formell ganz zurückgezogen werden soll.
Carney says trade deal became untenable when U.S. ‚asked too much and offered too little‘
In a departure from his usual diplomatic language, Carney suggested the U.S. sometimes signs trade deals in „pencil,“ and while Canada‘s government is united and working together, the same is not true of the Trump administration.
„We cannot accept what they‘ve offered, and we will not give what they‘ve asked,“ Carney said on Saturday in Ottawa, adding that the United States ‚asked too much and offered too little.‘
Kanada widersteht, Europa kapitulierte: Zwei Antworten auf denselben Druck
Im Juli 2025 stand die EU vor derselben Drohung: US-Zölle von bis zu 50 Prozent auf praktisch alle Warengruppen. Kommissionspräsidentin von der Leyen reiste dafür auf den schottischen Golfplatz Trumps in Turnberry – ein Umstand, den selbst wohlwollende Kommentatoren als Affront werteten. Das Ergebnis: ein Pauschalzoll von 15 Prozent auf die meisten EU-Exporte in die USA, während die EU im Gegenzug ihre Zölle auf US-Industriegüter auf null senkte – zusätzlich zu Investitionszusagen in Höhe von 600 Milliarden Dollar und Energiekäufen von 750 Milliarden Dollar.
Der Rechtswissenschaftler-Fachdienst LTO brachte die Debatte auf den Punkt: Während Trump vom größten Handelsdeal aller Zeiten sprach, werteten Kritiker die Einigung als Unterwerfung und Kapitulation der EU gegenüber einer irrationalen US-Handelspolitik.
German MP backs call for Germany to formally recognize State of Palestine
BERLIN, August 18, 2026 (WAFA) — Macit Karaahmetoğlu, a deputy member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Parliament and a lawmaker from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), expressed his support for a call by Palestine’s Ambassador to Germany, Laith Arafeh, for Germany to recognize the State of Palestine.
In a press statement, Karaahmetoğlu said that a majority of countries around the world, including several European countries such as France, Spain, and the United Kingdom, have recognized the State of Palestine.
He added that Germany’s recognition of the State of Palestine would serve as an effective lever in support of the two-state solution.
Araghchi says talks with Oman and reopening of Hormuz are ‘two separate issues’
“Our negotiations with Oman are ongoing. That is a completely separate matter. It is a technical issue concerning the designation of maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz for the passage of ships.”
“The routes that existed previously are no longer functional, so a new route needs to be defined. For now, we are designing a temporary route, which can then, at a later stage, be turned into a final route.”
“We may reach an outcome soon, but I want to emphasise that these negotiations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz are two separate issues. This is a technical negotiation concerning the designation of a maritime route.”
Reopening Strait of Hormuz is a humanitarian imperative
It is worth recalling that the conflict did not begin over disputes about the Strait of Hormuz. As recently as February 28, commercial ships transited the waterway without restriction.
(…)
With the US maintaining the naval blockade during the ceasefire period, Iran responded by stopping and, in several cases, attacking vessels attempting to cross the Strait without its approval. Insurance rates spiked, shipping lines rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, and transit times increased by up to three weeks.
Wars of this nature benefit no party in the long term, and they rarely reach a logical conclusion. Their primary victims are innocent civilians who have no role in the conflict. Many civilians in Iran and Lebanon have lost their lives directly to strikes.
Iraqi factions to surrender weapons to PMF by Sept. 30
Iraqi political leaders agreed on a mechanism for armed factions to hand over their weapons to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which would register and store the arms under state supervision, a source in the leading Shiite Coordination Framework told Shafaq News on Sunday.
Under the agreement, the PMF —a state security organization comprising mostly Shiite armed factions— would take custody of the weapons, document their types and storage locations, and oversee any subsequent movement of arms or personnel under orders from the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Iraqi Prime Minister Stresses End of US Coalition Mission on September 30
In a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi emphasized that regional issues should be resolved through dialogue, while recalling the end date of the US coalition mission in Iraq.
He also announced September 30 as the final deadline for the withdrawal of US coalition forces from Iraq.
Withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq (2025–2026): July 2026: Complete Withdrawal Reaffirmed
During Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi‘s visit to Washington, the United States and Iraq reaffirmed that all remaining U.S. military forces would withdraw from Iraq by 30 September 2026, marking the end of the U.S.-led military mission in the country.
US redeploys forces in Erbil ahead of Iraq withdrawal
The reported movements involve personnel and equipment being transferred between Harir Air Base, Erbil International Airport and the US consulate compound, in what sources described as preparations for the withdrawal of remaining US troops under a September 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad.
Iraqi Resistance holds remote talks on US-Saudi strikes
Participants discussed possible responses to the attacks, including the option of carrying out military retaliation or refraining from any action.
The sources added that “the factions are facing significant political and government pressure not to escalate militarily,” amid concerns that any retaliation could trigger serious security and political repercussions inside Iraq and further widen the regional conflict.
Withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq (2025–2026): July 2026: Complete Withdrawal Reaffirmed
During Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi‘s visit to Washington, the United States and Iraq reaffirmed that all remaining U.S. military forces would withdraw from Iraq by 30 September 2026, marking the end of the U.S.-led military mission in the country.
PM Al-Zaidi calls off Saudi visit
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi on Wednesday canceled his planned visit to Saudi Arabia, a government source told Shafaq News, hours after deadly US-Saudi airstrikes targeted the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) across seven Iraqi provinces.
Musandam Governorate targeted by drones; Oman condemns attacks
Muscat: A security source reported that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones targeted sites in the Musandam Governorate.
The Sultanate of Oman condemned and denounced this attack and affirmed that it is taking all necessary measures to address these developments and safeguard the country and its residents, according to the official statement.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an incident 9NM east of Oman.
A container ship has sustained damage to the rear of the vessel, which has caused a fire on board, UKMTO said.
IRGC Strikes Targets in Oman, Blasting Key Mediator’s Territory
(today)
The IRGC described the strikes as part of a “retaliatory operation” and claimed that the Strait of Hormuz remains “under the complete control” of its naval forces. The military branch also declared that these operations would continue.
The attack comes despite Oman serving as one of the primary mediators between Tehran and Washington in recent months, and follows previous assertions by Islamic Republic officials emphasising cooperation with Muscat regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
2026 Iranian strikes on Oman
From 28 February 2026, as part of the 2026 Iran war, Iran began launching a series of drone strikes on sites in Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, targeting the Port of Duqm and the Port of Salalah, which are used by the United States. Separate drone strikes targeted ports and industrial zones in Sohar, Bukha, and Mina Al Fahal, along with attacks in the Omani territorial waters of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. The attacks killed 19 people and injured 26 others.
Iran risks its most valuable Arab partner over Hormuz
(July 14, 2026)
Iran‘s attack on facilities supporting US naval operations in Oman has plunged relations with one of Tehran‘s closest regional partners into their deepest crisis in decades, turning a dispute over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz into a direct military confrontation.
Relations deteriorated sharply after Iran‘s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they had launched a „heavy and surprise attack“ on logistical support facilities and aircraft carrier refueling infrastructure at the Omani port of Duqm on Sunday.
Oman condemned what it described as „irresponsible acts“ and summoned Iran‘s ambassador in protest, marking a dramatic deterioration in relations between the two countries.
Iran criticises Oman over announcement of southern shipping corridor in the Strait of Hormuz
According to Iranian officials, Tehran considers itself responsible for managing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz under its interpretation of the memorandum of understanding with the United States and maintains that it has the authority to designate approved shipping routes.
Oman’s announcement that vessels could use a southern corridor within Omani territorial waters prompted criticism from Tehran.
According to the report, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that it could take action against vessels using routes outside those designated by Iranian authorities.