Indicates the type of a location. Location Type Defined by CCTVPLUS Indicates the role that a specific instance of a description takes among all descriptions. Description Role Defined by CCTVPLUS The role in the overall content stream. Part Role Indicates a kind of content rendition. Content Rendition Defined by CCTVPLUS CCTV Newscontent Co.,Ltd. CCTV Newscontent Co.,Ltd. All Rights Reserved. No access Chinese mainland CCTV Newscontent www.cctvplus.com +86-10-83949886 +86-10-63978447 contact@cctvplus.com 2026-09-30T18:28:12Z 2026-09-30T18:28:12Z 2026-09-30 2014-11-06T09:22:45Z China Central Television Iraq Other Sept 26-29, 2026 Iraq-US/Troop Withdrawal U.S.-led coalition concludes military mission in Iraq The U.S.-led coalition concluded its military mission in Iraq on Wednesday, marking the end of more than two decades of Western military presence that began with the 2003 invasion. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Wednesday announced the conclusion of the U.S.-led international coalition's mission to combat the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq. On the same day, the Pentagon said the United States and its allies have officially ended Operation Inherent Resolve against the IS in Iraq. To mark the occasion, the Iraqi government declared a four-day official holiday from September 30 to October 3, designated as "Sovereignty Day" celebrations. "For Iraq, the withdrawal of U.S. forces means that national sovereignty is further fully implemented. Iraq will be able to decide its own stance independently. This is something to be happy about and an important moment of national significance," said Majid Al-Hasnawi, a resident. Iraqi analysts echoed hopes that regaining full autonomy will accelerate domestic recovery. "I think at this current time, the withdrawal of U.S. forces and international coalition troops will help promote the reconstruction process. Because the Iraqi people will rely on their own country's talents and institutions, and the people of this country will drive the national reconstruction themselves," said Faisal Radi, an economist. The drawdown follows years of shifting security dynamics. The U.S. launched the Iraq War in 2003 and carried out a broad withdrawal in late 2011, leaving only a residual force. In 2014, the Islamic State group seized vast territories across Iraq's west and north. The U.S.-led coalition to combat the extremist group was subsequently formed and deployed forces to Iraq. In 2024, the U.S. and Iraq agreed on a two-phase transition to conclude the coalition's mission. "Ending the foreign military presence is an important political decision made and being implemented by Iraq. The problem is that a foreign military presence may provide room for intervention in Iraq's domestic political affairs, and this kind of interference in Iraq's internal affairs is something the Iraqi side cannot accept," said Salah Boushi, director of the Iraq Center for Strategic Affairs. Arabic/Nats Bagdad, Iraq - Sept 26-29, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 1. Various of Green Zone on other side of Tigris River 2. Various of banners, traffic 3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Majid Al-Hasnawi, resident: "For Iraq, the withdrawal of U.S. forces means that national sovereignty is further fully implemented. Iraq will be able to independently decide its own stance. This is something to be happy about and an important moment of national significance." 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Faisal Radi, Iraqi economist (ending with shot 5): "I think at this current time, the withdrawal of U.S. forces and international coalition troops will help promote the reconstruction process. Because the Iraqi people will rely on their own country's talents and institutions, and the people of this country will drive the national reconstruction themselves." 5. Various of traffic, vendors 6. National flags of Iraq 7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Salah Boushi, director, Iraq Center for Strategic Affairs (partially overlaid with shot 8): "Ending the foreign military presence is an important political decision made and being implemented by Iraq. The problem is that a foreign military presence may provide room for intervention in Iraq's domestic political affairs, and this kind of interference in Iraq's internal affairs is something the Iraqi side cannot accept." ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 8. Various of traffic ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 9. Traffic