The United States has completed the withdrawal of its remaining military forces from Iraq, closing a major chapter in the country’s post-2003 history. While Baghdad has presented the departure as an important step toward full national sovereignty, Kurdish officials in northern Iraq have expressed concern about the loss of U.S. air-defense capabilities and continued regional instability.
At the same time, Iran-aligned Iraqi militias have welcomed the American exit, describing it as the removal of foreign military forces from Iraqi territory.
U.S. Military Presence Ends After More Than Two Decades
The American military presence in Iraq began with the 2003 invasion that removed Saddam Hussein from power. U.S. forces formally left in 2011, but returned in 2014 after the Islamic State group captured large areas of Iraq and posed a major security threat.
Washington and Baghdad reached an agreement in 2024 to gradually end the U.S.-led coalition mission against Islamic State. Most American troops had already left bases in central and western Iraq, while a smaller contingent remained in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.
The final withdrawal was completed on Sept. 30, 2026, according to recent reports.
Kurdish Region Raises Air Defense Concerns
The Kurdistan Regional Government has been particularly concerned about what the U.S. departure means for its ability to respond to aerial attacks.
Iraq’s Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs said the Kurdistan Region had faced more than 1,000 drone and ballistic-missile attacks during the recent conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The ministry said some attacks struck civilian areas and caused deaths, injuries and property damage.
Officials are especially concerned because the U.S. withdrawal includes the removal of American air-defense systems. The Kurdish ministry said no replacement system was being established alongside the withdrawal and emphasized that protection of Iraqi airspace ultimately falls under the responsibility of the federal government in Baghdad.
The Kurdish authorities have nevertheless said their Peshmerga forces remain prepared to respond to emerging threats and maintain security cooperation with Iraqi forces.
Iran-Backed Militias Welcome the Departure
Iran-aligned armed groups have reacted very differently to the U.S. withdrawal.
Some militia leaders have portrayed the departure as evidence that Iraq is regaining control over its territory. Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, a security official associated with Kataib Hezbollah, described the withdrawal as the expulsion of foreign forces and warned Iraq’s government against policies he views as serving American interests.
Such statements highlight the continuing influence of powerful armed factions inside Iraq even as the U.S. military presence comes to an end.
Militia Disarmament Remains Unresolved
The U.S. withdrawal was initially linked by the Iraqi government to another major security issue: bringing all weapons under state control.
Several smaller armed groups have reportedly agreed to surrender their weapons, but more powerful Iran-aligned militias have resisted disarmament or attached conditions that Baghdad would have difficulty accepting.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has since moved the militia disarmament deadline to June 2027, meaning the issue will continue after the final American troops have departed.
The delay leaves Iraq facing the challenge of managing armed groups while simultaneously assuming greater responsibility for national security.
What Comes Next for Iraq?
The withdrawal does not mean the United States and Iraq will necessarily end their broader security relationship. Earlier plans envisioned a transition away from the coalition’s military mission toward a more conventional bilateral security partnership.
For Iraq, the immediate challenge is maintaining security without the same level of American military support, particularly intelligence, surveillance and air-defense assistance.
The Islamic State has lost the territory it once controlled across Iraq, but scattered sleeper cells remain a security concern. The Iraqi government and Kurdish authorities will therefore face pressure to prevent the militant group from exploiting any security gaps created during the transition.
A New Phase for Iraqi Security
The U.S. departure marks a significant change in Iraq’s security landscape. Baghdad now has greater responsibility for defending the country, managing armed factions and coordinating with the Kurdistan Region.
For Kurdish officials, the absence of American air-defense systems is a major concern at a time of heightened regional tensions. For Iran-aligned militias, meanwhile, the withdrawal represents an opportunity to emphasize Iraqi sovereignty and their opposition to foreign military forces.
The coming months will show how Iraq manages these competing security pressures as it enters a new phase without U.S. troops stationed on its territory.
