US Congress repeals 1991 and 2003 war authorizations, Iraq welcomes decision

WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – The United States Congress has voted to repeal the authorizations for the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a move welcomed by Baghdad as a significant step toward redefining bilateral relations.

The repeal of the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) is included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and now awaits President Donald Trump’s signature.

In a statement released Wednesday, Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said it received the decision “with great pleasure,” describing it as a “fundamental turning point” that lays the groundwork for a new relationship based on respect for Iraq’s sovereignty and the closure of the legacy of war.

The ministry emphasized that the repeal does not affect ongoing counterterrorism cooperation, as the separate 2001 AUMF passed after the September 11 attacks remains in force. The clarification is aimed at preserving joint efforts against Daesh/ISIS.

The 2002 AUMF had been controversially cited by the Trump administration as legal justification for the 2020 U.S. drone strike in Baghdad that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, an operation that sharply strained U.S.-Iraq relations.

The $901 billion NDAA passed the Senate by a 77–20 vote following earlier approval by the House. For Iraq, the repeal symbolizes a long-sought formal end to the legal foundations of wars that shaped decades of instability.

The decision is being closely watched across the region, including by Türkiye, which maintains strategic ties with both Baghdad and Washington and supports initiatives aimed at strengthening Iraqi sovereignty and regional stability.