In this file photo taken on March 29, 2020, US army soldiers, part of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led coalition against the Islamic State group, stand on duty at the K1 airbase northwest of Kirkuk in northern Iraq. (PHOTO / AFP)

BAGHDAD - Iraq said on Thursday that it agreed with the United States to form the Higher Military Commission (HMC) to discuss the end of the US-led international coalition's mission in Iraq.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the ongoing negotiations between the two sides, which began in August 2023, ended with launching the HMC at the level of working groups.

Also on Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani stressed that it is time to end the coalition's military mission as the IS militant group “no longer poses a threat” to Iraq

The commission will assess the threat posed by the Islamic State (IS) and evaluate the capabilities of Iraqi security forces, in order to formulate a clear timetable for the gradual reduction of international coalition advisors in Iraq and the end of the coalition's military mission, according to the statement.

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After the coalition's end, Iraq will move to comprehensive bilateral relations with the coalition countries at the political, economic, cultural, security and military levels, the statement said.  

Also on Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani stressed that it is time to end the coalition's military mission as the IS militant group “no longer poses a threat” to Iraq.

READ MORE: Iraq seeks removal of US-led coalition troops

Al-Sudani made the remarks during a meeting with the visiting Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno.

"The terrorist organization (IS) no longer poses a threat to the Iraqi state, and our armed forces are fully capable of maintaining security and stability. It is time to move to bilateral relations with all coalition countries," Al-Sudani said.

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Albares said the Spanish military advisors are working within the international coalition, stressing his government stance to support any decision taken by the Iraqi government in this regard.