Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani has made his first official visit to Iran since taking office, signaling efforts to strengthen ties between the two neighboring countries amid rising tensions in West Asia. During his visit to Tehran, Al Sudani met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for talks focused on expanding political, economic, trade, transport, and security cooperation. The two nations signed four agreements aimed at improving bilateral coordination and strengthening relations. The Iraqi Prime Minister also stated that Iraq would not allow its territory to be used for actions threatening Iran, while emphasizing Baghdad’s commitment to regional stability and respect for neighboring countries’ sovereignty.

Iraq PM Ali Al Sudani meets Iran President Pezeshkian | New trade, security agreements signed

It was April 9, 2003 that changed the geopolitical realities of West Asia: on this day, Iraq's capital Baghdad fell to the US forces within a month after the US invaded Iraq. Who would forget the televised visuals of the toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad's Firdos Square by the US forces?
While no 'weapons of mass destruction' were found in Iraq as claimed by then-US President George Bush, the war changed Iraq's contemporary political and social realities and America's position in West Asia. More than a decade later, the US-Iraq relations remain crucial amid larger regional complexities. The shadow of Saddam Hussein's reign has long gone but the US troops continue to be in the country "to support the mission against the Islamic State in northeastern Syria and in Iraq."
<h2>What happened in Iraq after&nbsp;Saddam Hussein's fall?</h2>
In May 2003, Paul Bremer, the head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, disbanded the Iraqi army and barred Iraq's Baath Party from participating in the government formation process. The decision alienated hundreds of Iraqis who had been part of the Baath Party out of compulsions under Saddam Hussein.&nbsp;
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A new constitution was adopted in 2005 amid instability and Iraqis voted in the same year giving the Shia majority control of parliament. Under the new governing system, the prime minister was a member of the Shia Muslim majority, the president a Kurd and the speaker a Sunni.&nbsp;The first prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki ran the government for eight years with America as a partner of sorts. However, he fell out of favour in 2011 due to his close ties to Tehran. He faced strong Sunni rebellion and reportedly sought support from Shia-majority Iran and not the US. Nouri al-Maliki finally stepped down as prime minister in 2014 and Iraq got a new PM in Haider al-Abadi. Though, Washington and Tehran supported al-Abadi, tensions in Iraq remained and he faced similar Sunni opposition to that of Maliki. Subsequent governments in Iraq also couldn't deal with Iraq's complex politics amid the shadow of the US.
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<h2>How the US-Iraq relations fared post-2003?</h2>
Iraq&rsquo;s relationship with the US has been governed by a series of framework accords. The first such document was the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The agreement mandated the withdrawal of all US troops by the end of 2011. This process was completed under Barack Obama between 2009 to 2017. However, the vacuum created by the withdrawal of US troops amid political instability and sectarian conflicts eventually paved the way for a fertile ground for ISIS. US troops were once again back on Iraqi soil within only three years to fight ISIS which seized much of the north of the country. This time, the American presence came at the invitation of the Iraqi government and involved both combat and training missions.
Another agreement between Washington and Baghdad is the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) which outlines productive ties across sectors, including security, economic development, and health. The accord continues to be the foundation for the bilateral relationship between both the countries.
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<h2>Current political situation in Iraq and dynamics with the US</h2>
Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani became the prime minister of Iraq in 2022. Sudani is in the midst of massive internal turmoil and pressure from the Coordination Framework which has backed his leadership. The members of this framework include former PM Maliki, Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Iraqi militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) - who are pro-Iran. Domestically, he is expected for a reassessment of Iraq&rsquo;s relationship with the US. However,&nbsp; analysts say that Al Sudani understands that the stability that Iraq has in troubled West Asia is because of the economic and security guarantees provided by the US.&nbsp;
US soldiers are still in Iraq. The US troops maintain a military presence across four key bases: Erbil Air Base in the Kurdistan Region, the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center at the airport, the Union III base in Baghdad&rsquo;s Green Zone, and Al Asad Air Base in Anbar province. though since December 2021 they have been conducting a training and advising mission and not a combat role. In December 2021, the coalition announced it had transitioned from a combat to an advisory role in Iraq.&nbsp;However, US forces have continued to participate in partnered raids in Iraq, the latest being in August 2024 in western Iraq targeting ISIS.
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With the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and the coming up of&nbsp;Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, Iraq once again is in&nbsp;a vulnerable position. It cannot accept Jolani who was responsible for the killing of numerous innocent Iraqi civilians under al-Qaeda. US President Donald Trump and his tough stance on Iran along with Iraq's internal politics would define how the US-Iraq ties would look going forward.
(with inputs from agencies)

World | On this day, Iraq's capital Baghdad fell to the US forces in 2003. Who would forget the televised visuals of the toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein?

It was April 9, 2003 that changed the geopolitical realities of West Asia: on this day, Iraq's capital Baghdad fell to the US forces within a month after the US invaded Iraq. Who would forget the televised visuals of the toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad's Firdos Square by the US forces? While no 'weapons of mass destruction' were found in Iraq as claimed by then-US President George Bush, the war changed Iraq's contemporary political and social realities and America's position in West Asia. More than a decade later, the US-Iraq relations remain crucial amid larger regional complexities. The shadow of Saddam Hussein's reign has long gone but the US troops continue to be in the country "to support the mission against the Islamic State in northeastern Syria and in Iraq." What happened in Iraq after Saddam Hussein's fall? In May 2003, Paul Bremer, the head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, disbanded the Iraqi army and barred Iraq's Baath Party from participating in the government formation process. The decision alienated hundreds of Iraqis who had been part of the Baath Party out of compulsions under Saddam Hussein. Read More | Trump says 'sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something' as markets tumble A new constitution was adopted in 2005 amid instability and Iraqis voted in the same year giving the Shia majority control of parliament. Under the new governing system, the prime minister was a member of the Shia Muslim majority, the president a Kurd and the speaker a Sunni. The first prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki ran the government for eight years with America as a partner of sorts. However, he fell out of favour in 2011 due to his close ties to Tehran. He faced strong Sunni rebellion and reportedly sought support from Shia-majority Iran and not the US. Nouri al-Maliki finally stepped down as prime minister in 2014 and Iraq got a new PM in Haider al-Abadi. Though, Washington and Tehran supported al-Abadi, tensions in Iraq remained and he faced similar Sunni opposition to that of Maliki. Subsequent governments in Iraq also couldn't deal with Iraq's complex politics amid the shadow of the US. Read More | China on tariffs: 'US seeking hegemony in the name of reciprocity in trade war' How the US-Iraq relations fared post-2003? Iraq’s relationship with the US has been governed by a series of framework accords. The first such document was the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The agreement mandated the withdrawal of all US troops by the end of 2011. This process was completed under Barack Obama between 2009 to 2017. However, the vacuum created by the withdrawal of US troops amid political instability and sectarian conflicts eventually paved the way for a fertile ground for ISIS. US troops were once again back on Iraqi soil within only three years to fight ISIS which seized much of the north of the country. This time, the American presence came at the invitation of the Iraqi government and involved both combat and training missions. Another agreement between Washington and Baghdad is the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) which outlines productive ties across sectors, including security, economic development, and health. The accord continues to be the foundation for the bilateral relationship between both the countries. Read More | Why Indian students in Trump's US facing deportation: 'Drunk driving, shoplifting, speeding' Current political situation in Iraq and dynamics with the US Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani became the prime minister of Iraq in 2022. Sudani is in the midst of massive internal turmoil and pressure from the Coordination Framework which has backed his leadership. The members of this framework include former PM Maliki, Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Iraqi militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) - who are pro-Iran. Domestically, he is expected for a reassessment of Iraq’s relationship with the US. However, analysts say that Al Sudani understands that the stability that Iraq has in troubled West Asia is because of the economic and security guarantees provided by the US. US soldiers are still in Iraq. The US troops maintain a military presence across four key bases: Erbil Air Base in the Kurdistan Region, the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center at the airport, the Union III base in Baghdad’s Green Zone, and Al Asad Air Base in Anbar province. though since December 2021 they have been conducting a training and advising mission and not a combat role. In December 2021, the coalition announced it had transitioned from a combat to an advisory role in Iraq. However, US forces have continued to participate in partnered raids in Iraq, the latest being in August 2024 in western Iraq targeting ISIS. Read More | Pakistan hopes to strengthen ties after Trump imposes 29 per cent tariffs: 'Never let crisis go waste' With the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and the coming up of Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, Iraq once again is in a vulnerable position. It cannot accept Jolani who was responsible for the killing of numerous innocent Iraqi civilians under al-Qaeda. US President Donald Trump and his tough stance on Iran along with Iraq's internal politics would define how the US-Iraq ties would look going forward. (with inputs from agencies)

On this day, Baghdad fell to US forces in 2003; a look at Iraq's politics and its ties with US

Several rockets were launched on Thursday and Friday against bases hosting troops from the US-led anti-jihadist coalition in Iraq and Syria, security officials and a war monitor said.

Several rockets were launched on Thursday and Friday against bases hosting troops from the US-led anti-jihadist coalition in Iraq and Syria, security officials and a war monitor said. Such attacks were frequent early in the war between Israel and Hamas Palestinian militants in Gaza but since then have largely halted. "Four rockets fell in the vicinity" of Ain al-Assad base in Anbar province, an Iraqi security source said. Another security official said an attack occurred with "a drone and three rockets" that fell close to the base perimeter. A United States official said initial reports indicated that projectiles landed outside the base without causing injuries or damage to the base. All sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak to the media. At least one rocket also fell near a base of the coalition in the Conoco gas field in Deir Ezzor province of eastern Syria, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. The Observatory said a blast was heard in the area but there were no immediate reports of casualties. The rocket was fired from "zones under the control of pro-Iranian militia" groups, said the monitor which relies on sources inside Syria. Watch | US urges Israel to think of a 'realistic truce plan', Hamas says 'Netanyahu stalling ceasefire deal' × There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either attack. Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq have largely halted similar attacks on US-backed troops in recent months. The latest attack come after a security meeting this week between Iraqi and US officials in Washington on the future of the international anti-jihadist coalition in Iraq. Iran-backed groups have demanded a withdrawal. The US Defense Department said Wednesday "the delegations reached an understanding on the concept for a new phase of the bilateral security relationship". This would include "cooperation through liaison officers, training, and traditional security cooperation programmes". On July 16, two drones were launched against Ain al-Assad base, with one exploding inside without causing injuries or damage. A senior security official in Baghdad said at the time he believed the attack was meant to "embarrass" the Iraqi government before the security meeting. For more than three months, as regional tensions soared over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, United States troops were targeted by rockets and drones more than 175 times in the Middle East, mainly in Iraq and Syria. The Islamic Resistance of Iraq, a loose alliance of Iran-backed groups, claimed the majority of the attacks, saying they were in solidarity with Gaza Palestinians. Also read: Kamala Harris crashes RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Finale to remind viewers to register to vote: Watch In January, a drone strike blamed on those groups killed three US soldiers in a base in Jordan. In retaliation, US forces launched dozens of strikes against Tehran-backed fighters. Since then, attacks against US troops have largely halted. Baghdad has sought to defuse tensions, engaging in talks with Washington on the future of the US-led coalition's mission in Iraq. The US military has around 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria with the international coalition. The coalition was deployed to Iraq at the government's request in 2014 to help combat the Islamic State group, which had taken over vast swathes of Iraq and neighbouring Syria. IS remnants still carry out attacks and ambushes in both countries. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Rockets target US-led coalition bases in Iraq and Syria