ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq on Wednesday welcomed as “historic” the US Senate’s vote to repeal the legal justifications that enabled military action against the country in 1991 and 2003, describing the move as a “fundamental turning point” toward strengthening Iraqi sovereignty and reshaping relations with Washington.
In a statement, Iraq’s foreign ministry praised the decision and said it “looks forward to President Donald Trump signing the bill.”
The Senate vote comes a week after the US House of Representatives passed its fiscal year 2026 defense spending bill, which revoked the Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) adopted in 1991 and 2002. The measures had granted US presidents legal authority to wage war against Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War and the US-led invasion in 2003.
Following Senate approval, the legislation is expected to be signed by President Trump in the coming days, before the December 25 Christmas holiday, allowing it to take effect.
The Iraqi foreign ministry said the repeal of the two authorizations - in place for more than three decades - reflects a shift in the outlook of US lawmakers driven by domestic and foreign policy considerations.
It added that the move “represents a fundamental turning point in changing the legal nature of the relationship between the two countries,” strengthens the strategic partnership framework, and sends “a message to the international community that Iraq has become a safe and attractive environment for investment.”
Repealing the measures has long been a demand of Baghdad, with Iraqi officials arguing that the authorizations undermine the country’s sovereignty.
Importantly, the repeal does not affect the 2001 AUMF, enacted after the September 11 attacks, which continues to serve as the legal basis for US operations against al-Qaeda, the Islamic State (ISIS), and Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq.
The foreign ministry emphasized that repealing the two AUMFs “does not undermine counterterrorism efforts,” reaffirming Baghdad’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations in a way that serves the interests of both countries and supports regional stability.
While the repeal appears aimed at reasserting US constitutional authority over war-making powers and formally closing the legal chapter on long-ended conflicts, it remains to be seen whether Baghdad will seek the repeal of the 2001 AUMF or pursue greater cooperation on addressing ongoing security challenges, including those posed by Iran-backed armed groups.
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