“The end of all corruption and dictatorship.” Muqtada al-Sadr comments on the date of the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq

- Iraqi Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr said on Sunday evening that the end of the presence of American and international coalition forces in Iraq on September 30 will be the beginning of Iraq’s prosperity and “the end of all corruption, injustice, dictatorship, occupation and terrorism.” Muqtada Al-Sadr said, in a blog post published on his official account on the “X” platform, Twitter previously: “We are awaiting with joy and happiness the date of the withdrawal of American forces, and even international coalition forces, from Iraq, according to the previously set date of 9/30 this year.”

Al-Sadr added: "We emphasize that the American side will respond to this national Iraqi decision, as this will benefit Iraq, its interests, and even the entire world." He added: "We also hope that this withdrawal will not be the beginning of any external interference in Iraqi affairs that would undermine Iraq's sovereignty, independence, and prestige."

Muqtada Al-Sadr went on to say: “Therefore, I stress to all neighboring and non-neighboring countries the consequences of these interventions, which I will announce my categorical rejection of from any country.” Muqtada al-Sadr urged "the Iraqi political forces not to repeat calls for American intervention again, as they did the first time. Iraq is capable of protecting itself through its heroic security forces, especially the border protectors and the air force, and through the central government exclusively, and without internal sectarian, ethnic, or other conflicts."

The Iraqi Shiite leader stated that "the people of Iraq are aware of this, and will only be united with all its components against any external interference, whatever it may be." Al-Sadr pointed out that the date of the withdrawal of US forces "will be the beginning of Iraq's prosperity, and the end of all corruption, injustice, dictatorship, occupation and terrorism, especially with the strengthening of the security authorities under the centralization of the Commander of the Iraqi Armed Forces."

The Iraqi government said last January that American forces had completed their complete withdrawal from military installations inside federal territory, with the exception of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, where American forces are still present there, with the presence of American forces in the country ending at the end of this September. The Iraqi Ministry of Defense stated that the last batch of American advisors left Ain al-Asad Air Base in Anbar Governorate, western Iraq, which hosted American forces for more than two decades.

While Iraq considers that the international coalition's mission has ended on its territory, officials indicated that coalition operations are continuing against ISIS and other terrorist groups in Syria. Baghdad expects logistical support to pass through the coalition air base in Erbil, and has not ruled out launching joint American-Iraqi operations against ISIS from Ain al-Assad base if it deems it necessary.

The US withdrawal may strengthen the government's position in negotiations on the disarmament of non-state armed groups, as some Iranian-backed militias have cited the US presence to justify retaining their weapons. US forces began gradually reducing their presence over several years, at the request of the Iraqi government in 2023.