US Withdrawal Puts Iraq’s Control of Weapons and Airspace in Focus

The continuing withdrawal of US and international coalition forces from Iraq is bringing renewed attention to Baghdad’s ability to take greater responsibility for national security as foreign support recedes.

Two questions are moving to the forefront: whether the government can bring weapons under exclusive state control, and whether Iraq has the capacity to protect its airspace, including over the Kurdistan Region.

The issue of weapons control reaches beyond military readiness. It concerns the state’s ability to enforce its authority and ensure that decisions over the use of force rest with official institutions.

Airspace protection presents a separate but closely connected challenge. As foreign support declines, the focus is on whether Iraq’s own capabilities are sufficient to safeguard its territory.

The withdrawal places both questions at the centre of Iraq’s security debate. Baghdad’s ability to consolidate control over weapons and protect the skies will be key measures of its readiness for a reduced foreign military presence.