ACNS Warns of Security and Political Risks Following Coalition Withdrawal from Iraq

PUKMEDIA

AI-generated photo illustration featuring the US and Iraqi flags, the Kurdistan flag, a map of Iraq, soldiers, and Iraqi cities in the background.

The Kurdistan Region-based Academic Center for National Studies (ACNS) has issued a statement warning of the potential security and political repercussions of the withdrawal of US and the Global Coalition forces from Iraq, particularly amid the sensitive circumstances facing Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The centre said in its statement that the withdrawal had become a critical issue at a time when the region is experiencing heightened political and security sensitivities. It cautioned against any rushed or unbalanced decision that could create a security and political vacuum, particularly in light of continuing crises and Iraq’s longstanding sectarian and doctrinal divisions.

According to the ACNS, one of the main risks associated with the withdrawal is the possibility of a security vacuum being exploited by extremist organisations and remnants of ISIS. While Iraqi security forces have developed their operational capabilities and acquired more advanced weapons, the centre said they continue to require support and advice in areas including advanced intelligence, aerial surveillance and logistics.

Any reduction in such support, it warned, could undermine the security gains achieved in recent years.

The centre also highlighted Iraq’s complex social and political make-up, describing the country’s stability as dependent on a delicate balance amid persistent political disputes. It said the Kurdish community has legitimate concerns that the withdrawal of the Global Coalition forces could weaken neutrality and existing constitutional guarantees.

The ACNS said historical experience had shown that, without international guarantees, the constitutional, political and economic rights of the Kurdistan Region could become vulnerable to political pressure or systematic violations by centres of power within Iraq’s political system.

The centre further noted that Iraq continues to be a theatre for regional and international rivalries. In its view, a Coalition withdrawal without a national consensus, ethical commitment and appropriate international guarantees could provide greater opportunities for external actors and other forces to influence political decision-making in Iraq, potentially contributing to prolonged instability.

The ACNS outlined a number of measures it said were necessary to protect Iraq’s stability and the rights of its constituent communities, particularly the Kurdish people.

- Strategic decision-making

The centre called for preparations for the post-withdrawal period to be based on a strategic and national approach, supported by accurate assessments of conditions on the ground and carried out in coordination with the Coalition, Iraqi authorities and forces in the Kurdistan Region.

It said such decisions should not be dictated by deadlines, narrow partisan interests or agendas that do not serve national interests.

- Upholding the constitutional balance

The federal government, the centre said, should reaffirm its commitment to genuine partnership and consensus and ensure the implementation of constitutional provisions, including Article 140 and the legitimate rights of the Kurdistan Region.

It described these measures as fundamental to preserving the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and safeguarding the rights of its people.

- Promoting national dialogue

The ACNS called on Iraq’s political forces to establish a national framework to protect all constituent communities and prevent attempts to marginalise them or violate their rights and interests.

It also urged political actors to avoid rhetoric, actions and practices that could deepen divisions between Iraq’s various communities.

- Maintaining international support

The centre said developments across the region, Iraq and the wider world had reinforced the view that Iraq requires continued international support, particularly at the present time and in the period ahead.

It stressed that the withdrawal of Coalition forces should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of international support for Iraq. According to the ACNS, such support remains important to the country’s efforts to strengthen sovereignty, security, stability and peaceful coexistence among its various communities.

- Kurdish political unity

The ACNS also stressed what it described as the urgent need for unity among Kurdish political forces across the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi Kurdistan.

The centre said safeguarding the constitutional status of the Kurdistan Region and the fundamental rights of the Kurdish people in a period marked by regional instability and conflict required a unified political position and voice.

It warned that internal divisions at such a critical juncture could weaken the Kurdish political position and increase the risk of further violations.

The centre therefore called for the establishment of what it described as a unified national front to protect the gains achieved to date and help secure a stable future for the region’s citizens.

 

PUKMEDIA