Iraqi Gov’t, Armed Factions : Reach Truce Deal Until End of 2021

Iraqi national security adviser Qasim Al-Araji revealed on Friday that the government had closed a truce deal with armed factions targeting US troops in the country.

“The Iraqi government managed to conclude a two-stage truce with the armed factions that target the American presence in Iraq, as it is an occupation from its point of view,” said Araji in a televised statement.

“The first phase of this truce lasts until the parliamentary elections on the tenth of next month,” he added, explaining that it “aims to provide a safe environment so that citizens vote under normal conditions.”

“The second phase of this truce lasts until the end of this year,” confirmed Araji, noting that the last of US forces would be leaving Iraq by the end of 2021 according to the outcomes of the strategic dialogue that were agreed upon during Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s visit to Washington in August.

Nevertheless, Araji pointed out that the truce does not cover convoys of the US-led international coalition.

For armed factions, these convoys suggest a protracted stay of foreign forces in the country and are a valid target.

Coalition convoys also transport security equipment for Iraqi forces.

There has been relative calm over the last two months, whereby no rocket or drone attacks targeted any of the positions held by US forces.

Nevertheless, the US embassy in Baghdad has sounded its sirens twice over the last week.

“The armistice arrangements with the armed factions (close to Iran) started with the efforts made by National Security Adviser Qassem Al-Araji and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fouad Hussein with a number of faction leaders,” a government adviser, who requested anonymity, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Everything happened under the supervision of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi,” they confirmed.