US Forces Exit Iraq After 23 Years as Iran, ISIS Concerns Grow
US forces have completed their withdrawal from Iraq, ending the current military presence after more than two decades as concerns grow over Iran-backed militias and Islamic State sleeper cells.
US forces have completed their withdrawal from their remaining bases in Iraq, ending the current phase of an American military presence that began with the 2003 invasion. The exit comes under a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad and has renewed debate over Iraq's security after the coalition's departure.
The withdrawal is broadly welcomed by many Iraqis as a step toward greater national sovereignty. At the same time, Iraqi officials and analysts have raised concerns about the ability of domestic security forces to manage threats without the same level of American intelligence, surveillance and logistical support.
Iran and groups aligned with Tehran have portrayed the US departure as a victory. Analysts cited by Reuters have warned that Iran-backed militias could gain greater room to expand their political and institutional influence inside Iraq.
Another concern is the Islamic State, which no longer controls large areas of Iraq but continues to operate through sleeper cells. US forces had supported Iraqi security agencies with intelligence and aerial surveillance against the group. Officials now face the challenge of maintaining those capabilities independently.
The US first withdrew from Iraq in 2011 but returned in 2014 after Islamic State captured large parts of the country. Iraqi and coalition forces eventually defeated the group's territorial control in 2017.
The latest withdrawal therefore closes another major chapter in Iraq's post-2003 history. Baghdad now faces the task of balancing its security relationship with Washington, Iran's influence and the continuing threat from Islamic State without the previous US military presence.
