US troops leave Iraq after 23 years
The last American troops leave as agreed, while Kurdish officials fear new security risks.
The United States is completing its military withdrawal from Iraq on Wednesday. This brings to an end an American presence that began after the 2003 invasion and was later continued in the fight against Islamic State.
Under the agreed timetable, the last American troops will leave Iraq by 30 September at the latest. The withdrawal also applies to the Kurdish region in the north of the country. The American military presence had already been sharply reduced in recent years.
Washington and Baghdad agreed a two-stage transition in 2024. The international coalition would end its military mission in Iraq, after which the security relationship would shift towards bilateral cooperation. From Iraq, American units could still temporarily support operations against Islamic State in Syria.
The Iraqi government presents the departure as a step towards greater national sovereignty. Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi said earlier that military cooperation should make way for economic, development-focused and diplomatic relations.
A more cautious tone is heard in the Kurdish region. The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs says the withdrawal is taking place during a period of regional instability. According to the ministry, more than 1,000 drones and ballistic missiles were fired at the region during the recent conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran. That tally is a statement by the regional administration and has not been independently verified.
The Kurdish authorities are particularly concerned about the removal of American air-defence systems. They say no alternative system is being installed and place responsibility for protecting Iraqi airspace with the government in Baghdad.
Iran-aligned militias in Iraq welcome the American departure. A security official from Kataib Hezbollah called the departure, according to AP, the beginning of full Iraqi sovereignty, but also attached a warning to the Iraqi government. The coming period will show whether Baghdad can better bring the various armed groups under its control and how much influence Iran retains over the security order.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- American troops are leaving under an agreement between Washington and Baghdad.
- The American military presence had already been scaled back.
- The Kurdish authorities fear for air defence.
- Iran-aligned militias welcome the departure.
Left
Arguments The departure ends a prolonged foreign military presence and could create space for Iraqi self-determination. At the same time, it must be ensured that Iraqi civilians do not once again pay the price for regional power struggles.
Values Sovereignty, human rights, diplomacy and limiting military escalation.
Consequences An orderly withdrawal could reduce tensions, but a security vacuum could leave minorities and civilians more vulnerable.
Centre
Arguments The military mission can end if the security relationship is carefully converted into training, intelligence-sharing and diplomatic cooperation.
Values Institutional stability, reliability towards allies and risk management.
Consequences A gradual transition limits the risk of chaos, but requires enduring Iraqi capacity and international involvement.
Right
Arguments Iraq must take responsibility for its own security and foreign troops must not remain indefinitely. At the same time, the United States must not give up its strategic influence in the region without an alternative.
Values National responsibility, deterrence and security.
Consequences The departure could strengthen Iran-aligned militias and expose allies such as the Kurds to greater risks.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core is based on an American withdrawal agreement, a regional statement and independent reporting. Claims about future power relations are presented as uncertain or as a forecast.
- confirmed The United States will complete its military withdrawal from Iraq on 30 September 2026. — The Kurdish government names 30 September as the agreed departure date; AP reports that the last troops are leaving. source
- confirmed The American presence in Iraq began after the 2003 invasion. — AP describes the presence as a consequence of the 2003 invasion. source
- confirmed Washington and Baghdad agreed a two-stage transition. — The US Department of Defence described the two-stage transition. source
- confirmed The Kurdish ministry reports more than 1,000 drone and missile attacks. — This appears in the Kurdish ministry’s statement; independent verification is lacking. source
Editor's note
The departure date and the transition agreement have been confirmed. Iraqi and Kurdish political interpretations differ; the reported numbers of attacks in Kurdistan have not been independently verified.Sources
- US troops leave Iraq, a move celebrated by Iran-backed groups — AP News
- KRG Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs Statement — Kurdistan Regional Government
- Inherent Resolve Mission in Iraq and Syria Transitioning — U.S. Department of Defense
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „irak verenigde staten”
- AD — „irak verenigde staten”
- de Volkskrant — „irak verenigde staten”