Iraqi PM inspects air defense command as coalition withdrawal nears

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Falih al-Zaydi inspected the Air Defense Command operations center overnight Wednesday, reviewing the readiness of Iraq's air defense systems. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's media office, the Air Defense Commander briefed al-Zaydi on troop deployments, areas of responsibility and a 2026-2031 capacity-building plan covering radar detection and tracking systems, weapons, command-and-control components and an integrated air defense architecture. The visit comes as International Coalition forces are scheduled to end their mission and withdraw on September 30, with Iraqi forces preparing to assume responsibility for protecting the country's airspace and national sovereignty in the next phase. Al-Zaydi described air defense as Iraq's sky shield and the first line of defense for its sovereignty, and said building capable armed forces is essential to making political and military decisions independently. The prime minister directed the Air Defense Command to meet its requirements, raise operational and technological readiness, and develop systems to protect Iraqi airspace. He said Iraq would not permit any violation of its airspace or compromise of its security, and would not allow its territory or airspace to be used as a base for attacks against neighboring countries. No further details were immediately available.