Why it matters:
The move signals the beginning of a broader U.S. troop drawdown in Iraq, fulfilling Iraq’s push for sovereignty. It could reshape security dynamics in the Middle East, potentially reducing tensions in the region.
The big picture:
- The withdrawal aligns with a July 2024 accord between Washington and Baghdad, which stipulates the phased exit of U.S.-led coalition forces from most Iraqi bases by September 2025, with a full departure from Iraqi Kurdistan by September 2026.
- As of mid-2025, approximately 2,500 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, down from peaks of over 5,000 during the Daesh (ISIS) takeover of some parts of Iraqi territories.
- Ain al-Asad, a sprawling base housing American military since the U.S. 2003 invasion of Iraq. It was the site of a major Iranian ballistic missile strike in January 2020 in response to the U.S. assassination of General Qasem Soleimani, a brilliant figure in the fight against Daesh (ISIS).
Between the lines:
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has hailed the withdrawal as a victory for national sovereignty, amid domestic protests and parliamentary resolutions since 2020 that have demanded the expulsion of foreign troops. The West Asian countries see the U.S. bases as destabilizing elements in the region.
What’s next:
Monitoring will focus on the handover of bases and any shifts in U.S.-Iraq relations. Baghdad aims to strengthen ties with regional powers, including Iran, to produce and shore up endogenous security for the region.
Go deeper:
Fatah Alliance: Expulsion of U.S. Forces From Iraq Irreversible Decision
seyed mohammad kazemi - seyed mohammad kazemi
