U.S. Forces Complete Iraq Withdrawal as Iran Gains Regional Leverage
The U.S. military has officially ended its presence in Iraq, concluding Operation Inherent Resolve. This withdrawal, which began in 2014 to combat ISIS, marks a shift from a coalition mission to a bilateral security relationship. While the U.S. claims success in defeating ISIS as an organized threat, the timing coincides with a war against Iran, raising concerns about regional stability and the rise of Iran-backed militias.
Key points
- The last U.S. forces withdrew from Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq, ending a 12-year anti-ISIS campaign.
- The withdrawal fulfills a 2024 agreement between the U.S. and Iraq, transitioning to a bilateral security relationship.
- The U.S. claims success in defeating ISIS as an organized military threat, but acknowledges the group still exists.
- The timing of the withdrawal coincides with a U.S.-Iran war, raising concerns about regional stability and the influence of Iran-backed militias.
- Iraq has declared September 30 as 'Sovereignty Day' to celebrate the U.S. withdrawal.
Background
The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 was driven by neoconservative beliefs that Saddam Hussein was destabilizing the Middle East and possessed weapons of mass destruction. The 2003 invasion was followed by a years-long civil war. Operation Inherent Resolve was launched in 2014 to combat ISIS, which had seized vast portions of Iraq and Syria. The U.S. had previously announced the end of combat operations in Iraq in 2021, leaving a small contingent of advisors. The 2024 agreement between the U.S. and Iraq set a timeline for the complete withdrawal by the end of 2026.
How outlets are covering it
The Washington Post and CNN emphasize the shift in regional power to Iran following the U.S. withdrawal. Heather Cox Richardson highlights the irony of Trump taking credit for ending the Iraq engagement while simultaneously waging a war on Iran, which has strengthened Iran's hand. CBS News focuses on the transition to a bilateral security relationship and the concerns of Iraqi and Kurdish leaders about the ability of the Iraqi government to maintain security without U.S. support. The Pentagon's statement emphasizes the success of the anti-ISIS campaign and the transition to an Iraqi-led security effort.
Why it matters
The U.S. withdrawal from Iraq marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. It raises questions about the future of U.S. influence in the region and the potential for increased Iranian influence. The timing of the withdrawal, coinciding with a war against Iran, adds to the complexity of the situation and raises concerns about regional stability. The withdrawal also highlights the challenges of transitioning from a wartime coalition mission to a bilateral security relationship.
What to watch
The U.S. military will continue to provide targeted training and intelligence support to Iraqi partners. The Iraqi government has promised to disarm Iran-backed militias by June 2027. The U.S. and Iraq will work to ensure that ISIS can never reconstitute from Iraqi territory. The future of U.S.-Iraq relations and the balance of power in the region will be closely watched.
- September 30, 2026 Letters from an American | Heather Cox Richardson
- The U.S. military withdraws from Iraq over 2 decades after its invasion NPR
- US troops complete Iraq exit, as Iran and its allies celebrate edition.cnn.com
- Former diplomats assess U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and region's future PBS
- U.S. military declares end of anti-ISIS Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq CBS News
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