Baghdad, October 3, 2026 — The United States has completed the withdrawal of its remaining military forces from Iraq, bringing an end to the U.S.-led Operation Inherent Resolve mission in the country after more than a decade of operations against the Islamic State (ISIS). The final American troops and associated equipment departed Erbil Air Base on September 30, according to U.S. Central Command.
The withdrawal follows a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad aimed at transitioning from the U.S.-led coalition mission to a bilateral security relationship. The United States first returned troops to Iraq in 2014 after ISIS captured large areas of the country.
Iraq Takes Greater Responsibility for Security
The departure marks a major change in Iraq’s security arrangements. Iraqi authorities have presented the withdrawal as an important step toward national sovereignty, while the United States has said its relationship with Baghdad will continue through bilateral defence cooperation.
The broader coalition headquarters for the counter-ISIS mission has moved to Jordan, while U.S. forces continue counter-ISIS operations in Syria alongside coalition partners and the Syrian government.
Concerns Grow in Iraq’s Kurdish Region
The withdrawal has also raised security concerns, particularly in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. Kurdish officials and other observers have expressed concern about the loss of U.S. military capabilities, including air-defence support.
The Kurdish region experienced more than 1,000 drone and ballistic-missile attacks during the recent U.S.-Iran conflict, according to officials cited by ABC News.
There are also continuing concerns about ISIS sleeper cells and the ability of armed groups to exploit security gaps. Iraq’s security forces will now have greater responsibility for monitoring and responding to such threats.
Militia Disarmament Adds to Uncertainty
Another issue facing Baghdad is the future of powerful armed groups operating inside the country. Some Iran-aligned militias have celebrated the U.S. departure, while disagreements remain over their integration into Iraq’s formal security structure.
The Iraqi government has delayed a deadline for militia disarmament until June 2027, adding another layer of uncertainty to the country’s evolving security environment.
A New Security Era
The U.S. withdrawal represents a significant transition for Iraq after years of foreign military involvement. Baghdad now faces the challenge of maintaining internal security while managing relations with armed groups and neighbouring powers.
The departure does not mean the end of U.S.-Iraq security cooperation. Instead, Washington and Baghdad are moving toward a bilateral defence relationship, while the United States continues its counter-ISIS mission from outside Iraq.
With regional tensions still high, the effectiveness of Iraq’s security institutions and the country’s ability to manage competing armed and political forces will remain closely watched in the months ahead.
