UNAMI Closure and Transition
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is concluding its 22-year mandate by December 31, 2025, as mandated by Security Council resolution 2732. This drawdown focuses on four priorities: electoral support, Iraq-Kuwait relations, humanitarian aid, and human rights. UN offices in Mosul and Kirkuk have closed, with remaining sites in Baghdad, Erbil, Basrah, and Tehran shutting by month's end[1].
On December 13, UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Baghdad, meeting Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid. He praised Iraqis' resilience against decades of conflict and affirmed continued UN support via country teams. A ceremony marked UNAMI's end, emphasizing national ownership[3].
The Secretary-General's Transition Plan outlines transferring tasks to Iraqi authorities and UN agencies, ensuring smooth handover amid the mission's phased personnel reduction[1].
Elections and Government Formation
November 11, 2025, parliamentary elections saw high turnout, with al-Sudani's coalition leading but short of a majority in the 329-seat legislature. Forming a government may take months due to factional negotiations, echoing past delays[1][6].
Political limbo persists as factions battle for influence, impacting stability. The Security Council briefing in December will address these developments alongside UNAMI progress[1][5].
Militia Disarmament and Security Threats
Iraqi militias, particularly Iran-backed groups, face pressure to disarm and accept state control. Supreme Judicial Council head Faiq Zidan reported leaders' agreement, praised by US envoy Mark Savaya as a step toward comprehensive disarmament. However, divisions exist, with some demanding anti-IS coalition withdrawal[2].
ISIL remains active with asymmetric attacks, including 21 incidents from April to October targeting officials. Rebuilding along the Syrian border exploits regional shifts post-Assad. Regional tensions, like Israel-Iran clashes violating Iraqi airspace, hit infrastructure[1].
US pushes for militia disarmament contrast with calls from China and Russia for respecting sovereignty and reducing foreign troops. Oil deals with ExxonMobil signal economic ties, but political rows, like a reversed Hezbollah asset freeze, highlight sensitivities[2][4].