DOMINANT ANGLE
Dhaka sees the coalition's departure as a diplomatic test for Baghdad, whose disarmament of pro-Iranian factions depends on an agreement between Washington and Tehran.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has promised that pro-Iranian groups will turn in their arms to the state after the coalition's departure, scheduled for this Wednesday (The Daily Star, according to AFP).
- 02
Several high-ranking Iraqi officials tell AFP that Iran will not accept the disarmament of the factions as long as the regional war continues.
- 03
Italy completed its withdrawal from Iraq on Tuesday after twelve years of presence; two carabinieri remain under the EUAM Iraq mission (TBS News).
ANALYSIS
Dhaka, September 30, 2026. The English-language Bangladeshi press is treating the departure of the US-led anti-jihadist coalition as a test for Baghdad more than as a military event. The Daily Star, which relays AFP, recalls that Iraq is a country "caught between its allies," Washington and Tehran, and that the coalition is leaving the territory this Wednesday.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who came to power this year with the blessing of the United States, has promised that after this departure, pro-Iranian groups will hand over their arms to the state. The newspaper emphasizes that the issue is "much more complicated" than simple announcements. Several high-ranking Iraqi officials, quoted by AFP, assert that Iran will not accept that the factions hand over their arms, especially during the regional war, and that it has clearly conveyed this message.
Iraqi analyst Sajad Jiyad, quoted extensively, places the key between Washington and Tehran: "If there is an agreement between the United States and Iran, I think this whole issue becomes very easy to handle." According to him, Iran cannot abandon its strategic capabilities as long as the conflict lasts, including the ability to attack American interests in Iraq and in the region. The situation remains "delicate," however, as Tehran does not want an "unstable Iraq." The factions are also demanding assurance that the United States will not target them before considering giving up their arms.
The context of war is presented straightforwardly: Iran-backed groups have targeted American installations in Iraq and the region hundreds of times, which has deepened Iraq's involvement in the conflict.
TBS News covers the other side of the withdrawal, that of European contingents. Italy completed the withdrawal of its last troops from Iraq on Tuesday, ending twelve years of military presence, according to a statement from its Ministry of Defense. Rome had recalled most of its personnel in March 2026, after a nighttime strike against a base in the Kurdistan region. Minister Guido Crosetto sees this as a transition towards greater Iraqi responsibility for its own security. Two carabinieri remain in the country as part of the European Union's EUAM Iraq mission, conducted with the agreement of the Iraqi government.
SOURCES (2)
- The Daily StarMEDIUM
- TBS NewsMEDIUM
