The United States completed the withdrawal of its remaining troops from Iraq on September 30, 2026, marking the end of a 12-year military mission against the Islamic State group. The final service members and equipment departed from Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, fulfilling a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad. The move transitions security responsibilities to Iraqi-led forces while maintaining a bilateral defense relationship with the U.S.
Key developments:
- Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led coalition mission against ISIS, concluded after dismantling the group’s self-declared caliphate across Iraq and Syria.
- The U.S. military described the withdrawal as an "orderly departure" and will continue providing targeted training and intelligence support to Iraqi partners.
Immediate aftermath and reactions
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi presided over a handover ceremony in Baghdad, framing the withdrawal as the start of a "new phase" centered on Iraqi sovereignty and institutional strength. He stated: “A new phase has begun, characterized by Iraq’s sovereignty, the strength of its institutions, the readiness of its forces, and balanced partnerships with its friends.”
In the U.S., President Donald Trump praised the withdrawal as a victory over ISIS and a conclusion to what he called "a very expensive excursion into Hell." He criticized past decision-making, stating: “It's been a long time with very bad decision making that got us involved in this quagmire in the first place.” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the mission’s success, noting that ISIS no longer posed an organized military threat in Iraq.
Security concerns and regional implications
While Iraqi officials celebrated the departure, concerns persisted about potential security gaps. Iran-backed militias—which have grown in influence since the 2003 U.S. invasion—were seen by some as potential beneficiaries of the withdrawal. A commander of one such militia in Iraq called the move "a crushing defeat for the American project." Kurdish officials in northern Iraq also expressed unease, citing recent Iranian missile strikes on their region following the U.S.-Israel war earlier in 2026.
ISIS remnants remain a low-level insurgent threat in remote areas, though the group’s territorial caliphate was dismantled by 2017. The U.S. withdrawal leaves Iraqi security forces responsible for addressing these challenges, with the Pentagon emphasizing that primary security duties now rest with Baghdad.
Historical context: From invasion to ISIS fight
The U.S. military presence in Iraq spans more than two decades, beginning with the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. After a 2011 withdrawal, American forces returned in 2014 to combat ISIS, which had seized control of nearly a third of Iraq. The Operation Inherent Resolve campaign, launched that year, ultimately destroyed ISIS’s territorial holdings but left behind a fragmented security landscape.
The withdrawal marks the second time U.S. troops have left Iraq since 2003, following the 2011 exit that preceded ISIS’s rise. This time, however, the U.S. retains a non-combat advisory role, with a smaller contingent of troops remaining in Iraq until the final withdrawal was completed.
What’s next for U.S.-Iraq relations?
The U.S. will continue supporting Iraq through training and intelligence sharing, but the shift to an Iraqi-led security framework signals a broader transition in bilateral relations. The Pentagon’s CENTCOM stated that the mission’s conclusion reflects "the successful conclusion of the military mission that defeated ISIS in Iraq."
Analysts note that Iran’s influence in Iraq—exercised through allied armed groups—may expand in the absence of U.S. forces, though Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zaidi has pledged to assert greater control over militias operating within the country.
Key dates and milestones
- 2003: U.S.-led invasion of Iraq; Saddam Hussein ousted.
- 2011: U.S. troops formally withdraw from Iraq.
- 2014: ISIS seizes control of a third of Iraq; U.S. returns to lead coalition against the group.
- 2024: U.S. and Iraq agree on phased withdrawal timeline.
- October 2025: U.S. begins scaling back troop presence.
- September 30, 2026: Final U.S. troops depart Erbil Air Base; Operation Inherent Resolve concludes.