Iraq Sets September 30 Deadline for U.S. Troop Withdrawal

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced that September 30, 2026, is the fixed and final deadline for the withdrawal of the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS from Iraq. The announcement followed a meeting in Baghdad between al-Zaidi and Admiral Brad Cooper of the U.S. Central Command, confirming agreements reached during the prime minister's visit to Washington in mid-July.

The withdrawal concludes a military presence that began with the 2003 invasion and was later renewed in 2014 to combat ISIL. While most U.S. troops left Iraqi bases last year, a presence remained in the northern Kurdish region, where bases have faced attacks since the U.S. and Israel began a war against Iran on February 28. The drawdown of troops and equipment in Erbil began approximately three weeks ago.

Al-Zaidi stated that October 1 will mark a new era of national sovereignty for the Iraqi state. To ensure stability, he ordered non-state armed groups to disarm by the September 30 deadline, arguing that weapons must be restricted to the state. However, powerful Iran-backed militias have indicated they will not comply with the disarmament order. Both leaders agreed that future relations between the United States and Iraq will transition toward economic and security cooperation based on mutual respect for sovereignty.