US halts planned security aid renewal for Iraqi Kurdish forces amid Iran conflict
The Trump administration is not planning to renew a memorandum of understanding that provides security assistance to the Peshmerga, the security forces of Iraq’s Kurdistan region. This decision coincides with the scheduled withdrawal of US troops from Iraq on October 1, 2026, and the expiration of the current aid agreement on September 30. While the Pentagon argues that the defeat of the Islamic State group justifies reallocating funds, Kurdish officials and analysts warn that cutting support will leave the region vulnerable to escalating Iranian attacks. The move risks undermining a key US ally and creating a security vacuum in the Middle East.