The Iraqi Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee has emphasized the necessity of maintaining the presence of international coalition forces, led by the United States, to provide essential air cover amid growing security challenges across the region.

Committee member Yasser Iskandar Wtut, in a media statement, underlined Iraq’s urgent need for advanced logistical and aerial support to protect its airspace. “The current capabilities are insufficient to monitor and secure shared airspace with neighboring countries,” Wtut said. “This makes the continued presence of coalition forces both essential and realistic.”

Wtut commended the efforts of the Ministry of Interior and border forces, which, with the support of other security agencies, have successfully tightened control over the Syrian border. “We recently conducted a field tour to inspect these efforts, which serve as a strong security pillar. However, we still require air cover to ensure greater stability across the region,” he explained.

He also referred to recent comments made by Defense Minister Thabet Al-Abbasi, who had highlighted the strategic importance of coalition forces in safeguarding Iraq’s skies. According to Wtut, these statements reflect a practical and informed view, particularly given the coalition’s possession of a robust air fleet that plays a key role in airspace security.

While welcoming the government’s recent contracts to acquire 14 modern aircraft, Wtut stated that this step falls short of meeting the country’s comprehensive defense needs. He called for a dedicated budget to strengthen the Ministry of Defense and enhance the Iraqi Air Force’s capabilities with new and advanced technologies.

The committee’s remarks come at a time of heightened regional tension and renewed debate over the future of foreign military presence in Iraq.