Iraq Completes Withdrawal of US Forces Amid Regional Tensions

Iraq's government has confirmed the full withdrawal of US forces from its federal territory, marking the end of a military presence that has lasted over two decades. The final US advisers left Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province, while troops remain in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. This withdrawal follows a request from the Iraqi government in 2023 and comes amid rising tensions between the US and Iran. Iraqi officials assert that their armed forces are now capable of securing the country independently, although cooperation with the US will continue in training and operational support. The move may impact negotiations regarding the disarmament of Iranian-backed militias, which have previously used the US presence as a justification for retaining their arms.

Key Details: • Final US troops left Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province. • US military presence in Iraq has decreased from 170,000 troops at its peak to about 2,500 in an advisory role. • The withdrawal may influence the disarmament negotiations of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. • Future US-Iraqi cooperation will focus on training and joint exercises.