The US withdrawal from Iraq is complete. On September 30, 2026, the last American troops left Erbil Air Base, ending a military presence that began with the 2003 invasion. Days earlier, Turkey agreed to hand over its Bashiqa base to Baghdad. The motives differ, but both exits leave Iraq to manage its own security.
Why Is the US Withdrawing From Iraq?
The US withdrawal from Iraq follows a plan agreed in 2024 by President Biden and Iraq’s then-PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The Trump administration kept it on track. The Pentagon called the final departure orderly, and Trump described it as a victory.Key reasons:ISIS is weaker. Officials say it has been defeated as an organized military force.Iran is the priority. With the US-Israeli war against Iran ongoing since February, Iraq has become a secondary theater.Iraq wanted it. PM Ali al-Zaidi calls it a return of full sovereignty.Safety. Keeping troops among Iran-backed armed groups during a regional war was risky. (This is analysis, not an official statement.)
US Troops in Iraq: A Quick Timeline
- 2003: US invasion
- 2007: Peak of about 170,000 troops
- 2011: Withdrawal
- 2014: Return after the rise of ISIS
- 2021: Combat role ends; about 2,500 advisers stay
- September 30, 2026: Final troops leave Erbil
More than 4,500 US troops died in Iraq over the course of the mission.
Is the US Really Leaving the Region?
Critics say the US withdrawal from Iraq is more of a redeployment. The anti-ISIS task force headquarters has moved to Jordan, hundreds of US troops remain in Syria, and Gulf bases are unchanged. In this view, Iraq has fewer American targets for Iran’s allies, while Washington keeps its options open.
Turkey’s Military Bases in Iraq: The Bashiqa Deal
Turkey keeps several bases in northern Iraq, mainly to fight the PKK, the Kurdish group that has battled Ankara for four decades. The Bashiqa base is different. Turkey set it up in 2015 to support operations against ISIS, and it is the Turkish base farthest from the border. It has long been a source of tension with Baghdad, since Turkey never fully withdrew despite earlier talks.
After Erdogan met al-Zaidi at the UN General Assembly, Turkey agreed to hand the Bashiqa-Zelikan camp to the Iraqi government gradually. In return, Iraq pledged to end the presence of armed groups in Sinjar that Turkey considers threats.Note: This is a gradual handover of one base, not a full Turkish withdrawal from Iraq.
Note: This is a gradual handover of one base, not a full Turkish withdrawal from Iraq.
How Does the PKK Fit In?
Earlier this month, the Sinjar Resistance Units, a Yazidi militia linked to the PKK, agreed to disarm, with eligible fighters joining Iraqi forces. The PKK itself has agreed to disband as part of a peace process with Turkey. As that threat shrinks, Turkey’s need for bases in Iraq shrinks too.
Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq After the Withdrawal
The US withdrawal from Iraq does not end the country’s biggest security problem. Hardline groups such as Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba have said they will not disarm while foreign troops remain. Baghdad has set a June 2027 target for disarmament. Some factions, including Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Moqtada al-Sadr’s Saraya al-Salam, say they have handed over weapons. The hardliners have not.
Risks After the Withdrawals
- ISIS sleeper cells remain a threat, and some Kurdish and Sunni leaders call the exit premature.
- Iranian influence could grow in the vacuum, according to several analysts.
- Baghdad’s balancing act: it wants good ties with both Washington and Tehran.
Conclusion
The US withdrawal from Iraq reflects a mission that largely succeeded and a focus that has moved to Iran. Turkey is easing out as its PKK conflict winds down. Iraq’s test now is controlling its armed groups and borders without outside backing.
Sources: AP, Al Jazeera, ABC News, Atlantic Council, Washington Times, Asia Times.
When did the US withdrawal from Iraq happen?
The last US troops left Erbil Air Base on September 30, 2026.
Why is the US withdrawing from Iraq?
The plan was agreed in 2024, ISIS is considered defeated as an organized force, and Washington’s focus has shifted to Iran.
Is Turkey withdrawing from Iraq too?
Turkey agreed to gradually hand over the Bashiqa base. It still has other bases in northern Iraq.
Will Iran-backed militias disarm?
Some say they have. Hardline groups are refusing. Baghdad’s target is June 2027.