Washington announced that the remaining U.S. troops stationed in northern Iraq will be withdrawn by Sept. 30, ending the longest continuous American military presence in the country. The move follows a 2024 agreement with Baghdad to wind down the counter‑terrorism mission now that the Islamic State has been reduced to scattered sleeper cells.
Administration’s rationale
A senior U.S. military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the pullout will “reduce our risk” after years of frequent attacks on U.S. bases by Iran‑backed Iraqi militias. The official added that equipment, including air‑defense systems, will be redeployed to Jordan and other regional partners.
The administration emphasizes that the withdrawal is not a concession to hostile groups but a strategic decision reflecting the diminished ISIS threat and the desire to protect American service members.
Iraqi militia response
Baghdad has linked the U.S. exit to an ultimatum for militias to surrender their weapons, yet the most powerful Iran‑aligned groups – Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al‑Nujaba and Kataib Sayyid al‑Shuhada – have rejected any disarmament timetable. They argue that conditions such as central control over Kurdish peshmerga forces and the removal of Iranian Kurdish dissident groups are unlikely to be met.
“There will be no disarming of any groups by the 30th of September,” Iraqi analyst Sajad Jiyad told a panel at the Atlantic Center think tank. A militia spokesperson echoed that sentiment, stating, “There is absolutely no decision among the factions to surrender weapons.”
Potential regional impact
U.S. officials remain concerned that the militias could continue attacks on Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and other regional targets, as well as the presence of Yemen’s Houthi rebels in Iraq. While the United States has previously struck militia sites in retaliation, officials said the withdrawal will not delay ongoing diplomatic efforts to curb militia activity.
Regional experts warn that the removal of U.S. air‑defense assets could make the Kurdish region more vulnerable. Mohammed A. Salih, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, noted that Iran‑aligned groups have already targeted Kurdish energy facilities and the office of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
Baghdad’s next steps
Iraqi government spokesperson Sabah al‑Numan said discussions on militia disarmament will continue after the coalition’s departure. The government is reportedly close to procuring new air‑defense systems from South Korea, Turkey and the United States, which will be deployed according to “carefully devised military plans” to protect Iraqi airspace, including the Kurdistan region.
While a handful of smaller militias have agreed to hand over weapons, the broader challenge remains integrating the Popular Mobilization Forces into the regular Iraqi army and ensuring that dynamic weapons such as missiles and long‑range aircraft are placed under central command.
What’s next for U.S.–Iraq security cooperation?
After the withdrawal, the United States may negotiate a “normal bilateral security cooperation” agreement with Baghdad, though details remain unclear. The administration’s focus appears to be on maintaining regional stability while ending a costly overseas commitment that has stretched American resources for over two decades.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
