The U.S. military confirmed that its troops have fully withdrawn from Iraq, marking the end of a 12‑year mission that began with the fight against the Islamic State group. The last contingent departed from the air base in Irbil, located in the semi‑autonomous Kurdish region, after an “orderly departure” as described by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.

Significance of the Withdrawal

Parnell said the milestone reflects the success of the campaign that defeated ISIS as an organized military threat across Iraq and the broader region. He added that the move transitions the effort from a wartime coalition to an Iraqi‑led security operation supported by a more normal bilateral relationship.

Iraqi Leadership Welcomes the Change

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi presided over the handover ceremony, calling the withdrawal the start of a new phase defined by Iraq’s sovereignty, strong institutions, ready forces, unified decision‑making, and balanced partnerships with friends.

Regional Context and Concerns

The withdrawal occurs amid an ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which has occasionally spilled over into Iraq. While Iran‑backed militias celebrated the departure, some Iraqis—particularly in the Kurdish region—expressed anxiety about losing U.S. air‑defense systems that have helped deter attacks.

The Kurdish Peshmerga Ministry noted that the region endured more than 1,000 drone and ballistic‑missile attacks during the recent U.S.–Iran clash. Officials warned that the absence of U.S. defense assets could leave the area vulnerable.

Militia Disarmament Timeline

The Iraqi government originally linked the September 30 withdrawal deadline to the disarmament of non‑state armed groups. While a few smaller militias have agreed to turn over weapons, larger Iran‑aligned groups have resisted or set conditions unlikely to be met. Prime Minister al‑Zaidi later told The New York Times that the disarmament deadline has been pushed to June 2027.

Future Outlook

With ISIS reduced to scattered sleeper cells, the U.S. and Baghdad agreed in 2024 to wind down the mission. Although the direct U.S. presence has been scaled back for years, the completion of the withdrawal signals a shift toward Iraqi‑led security and a more conventional bilateral partnership.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.