Former US Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Halilzad issued warnings about the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. Halilzad stated that the withdrawal should be based on realities on the ground and security conditions, not a fixed timeline.
In an interview with Kurdistan24, Halilzad said, "Personally, I think we need to act based on conditions." He pointed to the dangers of creating a security vacuum amid ongoing missile and drone attacks.
Halilzad, who said "A security vacuum in an environment where security problems persist is in the interest of neither Iraq, nor us, nor Kurdistan," stressed the importance of maintaining flexibility and preserving the existing security cooperation framework.
Halilzad also touched on Iraq's economic potential. He said the new Iraqi prime minister has a business background and is prioritizing economic cooperation, trade, and investment. "There are great hopes and expectations of opportunity with the new prime minister," Halilzad said.
However, Halilzad underlined that security is essential for these economic opportunities to materialize. "The ideal is to create an environment that allows business investment from a security standpoint and where companies will not feel a security risk from operating in Iraq," he said.
Halilzad stated that investors will only feel comfortable if the security environment in Iraq improves. He said attracting international investment will depend on whether Iraq can provide a suitable business environment.
Halilzad said talks between Iraq and the US are focused on both economic cooperation and security arrangements, including the planned withdrawal of US forces by the end of September. "We will have to see what the impact of that will be," he said.
Describing the current security environment as "very difficult," the former ambassador added that long-term investment and any adjustment to the US military presence must be supported by lasting security and sustained cooperation between Baghdad and Washington.
