U.S. and Coalition Forces Complete Military Withdrawal from Iraq
The United States and coalition partners ended over two decades of military presence in Iraq on September 30, transitioning to a bilateral security partnership.
The Federal government of the United States and its coalition partners completed the withdrawal of all military forces from Iraq on September 30, 2026. This exit concludes a military presence that began with the 2003 invasion and ends the 12-year Operation Inherent Resolve mission against the Islamic State. The pullout, which included the removal of Patriot air defense systems from Erbil, was agreed upon in 2024 under Joe Biden and executed under the administration of Donald Trump.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi designated October 1 as Independence Day, characterizing the move as a restoration of national sovereignty. However, the withdrawal has created a security vacuum. Kurdish officials and security personnel report increased activity from Islamic State sleeper cells, while the removal of U.S. interceptors has left the Kurdistan Region vulnerable to Iranian drone and missile attacks.
Simultaneously, Prime Minister al-Zaidi is attempting to disarm pro-Iranian militias within the Popular Mobilization Forces. While he initially promised President Trump a September 30 deadline for disarmament, he later extended this date to June 30, 2027. Hardline groups, including Kata'ib Hezbollah and Kata'ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada, have rejected these orders, claiming their weapons are necessary for sovereignty. Iran and its allied militias have celebrated the U.S. departure as a strategic victory for the axis of resistance.
Despite the military exit, the U.S. maintains economic leverage through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which holds Iraq's oil revenues. The relationship is expected to transition into a bilateral partnership focused on intelligence-sharing, training, and advisory roles.
