Kurdistan Interior Minister Warns ISIS Grew Stronger Calling Coalition Exit Politically Motivated Decision

Kurdistan Regional Government Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed warned of rising security challenges across Iraq, stressing that ISIS has become far stronger than it was prior to 2014, while noting that the decision to terminate the international coalition's mission resulted from political pressure rather than actual security requirements. Speaking at the Meri Forum held in Erbil, Ahmed stated that past victories and the defeat of ISIS would not have materialized without air support and backing from the US-led international coalition. He pointed out that the coalition's withdrawal was driven by pressure exerted by political actors, at a time when Iraqi military and security institutions still require armament, intelligence assistance, and bilateral security pacts to combat terrorism and organized crime effectively. Addressing the group's current status, Ahmed remarked that claims regarding the total end of the ISIS threat do not reflect operational realities, asserting that the militant group is stronger today than it was before overrunning Iraqi cities in 2014, and its active threats persist. He cautioned that extremism stems fundamentally from ideology and will always find fertile ground if authorities fail to secure essential public services and ensure equal, fair treatment for all societal components without discrimination. On parallel security challenges, the minister warned against the expansion of organized crime, highlighting narcotics as a grave hazard that threatens society and may surpass terrorism in its destructive impact. He also cautioned against the unchecked proliferation of weapons outside state authority held by armed groups, describing this as an immediate hazard to stability, and called upon the federal government in Baghdad to resolve this issue and uphold the rule of law. Ahmed concluded that Iraq’s future remains deeply tied to thoroughly resolving uncontrolled arms.