PM Under Pressure to Modify Iraqi-US Strategic Agreement Due to Coordination Framework

• Salma Hossein
• . December 27, 2022
• . Update: December 27, 2022 7:37 pm
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According to dependable Iraqi sources quoted by Asharq Al-Awsat, members of the pro-Iran Coordination Framework have demanded that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani begin talks to modify the Strategic Framework Agreement for a Relationship of Friendship and Cooperation between Baghdad and Washington.

The amendments would call for the removal of American troops from Iraq and a ban on drone flights by the United States.

According to the sources, Sudan has been informed of Washington’s “serious intent” to deepen ties with Baghdad and create the strategic agreement.

The Shiite groups opposed to American involvement in Iraq would be in a “fierce confrontation” with Sudani as a result of this action.

The US had demanded Sudani’s attendance in Washington to finalise deals reached with the old government, independent MP Mustafa al-Sanad earlier disclosed.

According to a political source close to the Coordination Framework, Shiite parties recently emphasised to Sudani the essential principles governing Iraq’s security and interests.

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They put a ban on American drone flights and the departure of American forces from Iraq, especially from the Kurdistan area, at the top of their list of demands.

According to the source, Sudani’s attempts to keep Iraq’s relations with the US and Iran in balance were at odds with the Shiite proposals.

The Coordination Framework was divided, Asharq Al-Awsat reported last week, on allegations that Sudani was establishing contacts with American officials, notably Ambassador Alina Romanowski. The rapprochement worried certain parties.

Turki al-Otaibi, a member of the Framework, claimed that Washington was exploiting the strategic agreement with Iraq as a justification for continuing to fly drones over the nation. Additionally, he charged Washington with grave economic and financial wrongdoing in Iraq.