United States Completes Military Withdrawal From Iraq

The United States completed the withdrawal of all military forces and equipment from Iraq by September 30, 2026, ending a presence that began with the 2003 invasion. The pullout, authorized by President Donald Trump to end "endless wars," followed a 2024 agreement established under Joe Biden. The exit included the removal of Patriot missile batteries from the Kurdistan Region, with systems relocated to Jordan and Cyprus.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi intended for October 1 to mark a new phase of development free of foreign military presence. However, the transition has been complicated by Baghdad's struggle to disarm pro-Iranian militias. While al-Zaidi initially promised to disarm these groups by September 30, he later requested an extension until mid-next year. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed support for al-Zaidi's intentions, though hardline factions and the IRGC Quds Force have reportedly instructed militias to resist disarmament.

Reactions to the withdrawal are polarized. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq celebrated the move as a victory for the "axis of resistance," while some factions claimed a "economic occupation" persists through U.S. control of oil revenues in New York. Conversely, Iraqi and Kurdish security officials warn that the departure creates a security vacuum, noting increased activity from Islamic State sleeper cells and a loss of critical U.S. intelligence and air support capabilities.