ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi government is responsible for securing the safety of the country and its residents after the scheduled departure of the US-led Coalition Forces against the Islamic State (ISIS), the spokesperson for the UN secretery-general told Rudaw on Tuesday, replying to a question about the rising concerns in the Kurdistan Region, where the Coalition’s defense systems have intercepted more than 1,000 missiles and drones in the past seven months. The UN is “aware of the discussions” between the US and Iraq, Stephane Dujarric told Rudaw’s Namo Abdulla during a press conference in New York. “The government of Iraq, like every other government, has a responsibility to ensure that all of its citizens on all of its territory are kept safe,” he added. September 30 marks the end of the US-led mission against ISIS that started in 2014 after the self-proclaimed caliphate seized large swaths of Iraq’s north-central territories. In addition to thousands of airstrikes against ISIS strongholds and military equipment, the mission has also trained Iraqi and Kurdish forces. The former Iraqi primer, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, requested the departure of the US-led Coalition in 2024, reaching a plan with Washington to phase out the military mission. Kurdish leaders have expressed skepticism and warned against the resurgence of ISIS. “The Americans left, and Da’esh appeared right away. I fear the same scenario will happen,” Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, said in a recent interview, referring to the US troop withdrawal in 2011. “In 2014, when Da’esh entered, the Iraqi government then begged America, European and NATO countries for help,” he added. The Kurdistan Region has been targeted with more than 1,000 drones and missiles since February 28, when the US and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran. Tehran and its aligned forces in Iraq have carried out the strikes that have left 32 fatalities and 154 others injured, according to Rudaw tracking. US Patriot and C-RAM air defense systems - along with other systems of the Coalition forces - intercepted around 75 percent of the strikes from February toward the beginning of August. Voicing concerns over the departure in this regard, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani warned earlier this week that the “threat is real — we are vulnerable, we are being attacked.” “Leaving the Kurdistan Region without providing any defense system is a matter of concern,” he added.
World29-09-2026Digital currency firm freezes $550M in Iran-linked assets, reaffirms cooperation with US
World29-09-2026UK releases five men on bail after explosives incident in RAF Fairford base, suspected Iran-links
