Unity Times Foreign Desk
The United States has formally ended its military mission in Iraq, completing a withdrawal that brings to a close more than two decades of American military involvement in the country. The final US troops left Iraq on September 30, according to reports, bringing an end to the US-led military presence that began with the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
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The withdrawal follows a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad to wind down the US-led military mission against Islamic State. Remaining American forces had gradually consolidated their positions, with the final personnel departing from the Iraqi Kurdistan region.
The United States is now expected to maintain its regional counterterrorism role primarily from Jordan.
What happens next?
The departure represents a major shift in the strategic balance of the Middle East. Iraq now assumes greater responsibility for its own security environment while powerful armed groups continue to operate within the country.
One of the major concerns is the possibility that Islamic State remnants could exploit weaknesses in Iraqi security structures.
There is also the question of Iran’s influence. Iran-backed militias have welcomed the American departure, while Kurdish authorities have expressed concerns about the loss of US air-defence capabilities.
For Washington, however, the withdrawal reflects a transition from a large military footprint to a more limited regional security role.
For Iraq, it represents an important assertion of sovereignty—but also places greater responsibility on Iraqi institutions to prevent the return of large-scale militant violence.
The withdrawal therefore closes one chapter of the post-2003 Middle East while opening another in which Iraq’s ability to balance competing internal and regional powers will be closely watched.
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