Brief
US forces complete final withdrawal from Iraq, ending 12‑year anti‑ISIS mission
The departure marks the end of a 12‑year coalition effort and prompts worries about air‑defence gaps in the Kurdistan region.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The United States withdrew its remaining troops from Iraq on September 30, 2026, concluding a 12‑year anti‑ISIS campaign that began in 2014, according to Al Jazeera.
The exit coincided with Iraq’s "Sovereignty Days" holiday and follows a two‑year phased drawdown agreed in a September 2024 joint statement. The final contingent, about 2,500 personnel, left Erbil Air Base, ending the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIL.
Al Jazeera notes that the withdrawal also includes the removal of US air‑defence systems, intelligence, logistical support and drones, raising concerns in the semi‑autonomous Kurdish region. KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani warned that the loss of these capabilities could create a security gap.
Key facts
- The last US troops left Iraq on September 30, 2026, ending a 12‑year anti‑ISIS mission. (aljazeera.com)
- Around 2,500 US personnel were stationed in northern Iraq at the time of withdrawal. (aljazeera.com)
- The withdrawal includes US air‑defence systems, intelligence, logistical support and drones. (aljazeera.com)
- KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani expressed concern about security gaps after the US exit. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “How does Iraq’s security change after US forces withdraw?”
