The United States is preparing to withdraw its forces from the last remaining bases in Iraq, completing a military presence that began with the 2003 invasion and continued through successive counterterrorism missions.
Reuters reported that the departure was expected by September 30. The withdrawal is being welcomed by Iran and its Iraqi allies as the end of a long foreign military presence, but Iraqi and Kurdish officials have also warned that reduced U.S. intelligence, logistics and drone support could create security gaps.
The change is strategically important because Iraq sits at the intersection of several competing regional networks. Tehran has built substantial political and military influence among Iraqi factions, while Washington has used its presence to support Iraqi security forces and monitor militant organizations. The removal of U.S. bases could therefore alter the balance between Baghdad, Iran-aligned groups and the Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq.
Officials cited by Reuters said Islamic State sleeper cells may attempt to exploit the transition. Iraqi security officials reportedly identified concerns about planned attacks intended to demonstrate that the militant group remains capable of operating despite years of military setbacks.
The withdrawal does not mean Iraq will immediately lose all international security cooperation. Iraqi forces retain their own command structures, and relationships with foreign partners may continue in different forms. However, the closure of bases can affect the speed of intelligence sharing, air support, surveillance and emergency logistics—capabilities that are difficult to replace quickly.
For Iraq, the political meaning of the withdrawal is as important as its military consequences. Many Iraqis view the end of the foreign deployment as a restoration of sovereignty, while others fear that political competition and militia influence could intensify without a U.S. counterweight. The country’s leaders must now demonstrate that national institutions can manage security threats without allowing the vacuum to be filled by armed groups.
The regional context is especially sensitive because the withdrawal comes amid a broader confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Iraq has repeatedly risked becoming an arena for indirect conflict, with attacks on U.S. interests and pressure from Iran-aligned factions complicating Baghdad’s efforts to maintain neutrality.
The move also has implications for energy security. Iraq is a major oil producer, and instability around transport routes, export infrastructure or producing regions could affect global markets. Maintaining security around energy facilities will remain a central responsibility for Iraqi forces.
The next phase will be judged by whether the transition reduces foreign entanglement without creating a security vacuum. The United States is ending a major chapter of military involvement, but Iraq’s internal political balance and the region’s wider power competition will continue to shape the country’s future.
Sources: - https://www.internazionale.it/ultime-notizie-reuters/2026/09/29/us-forces-exit-iraq-after-two-decades-leaving-opening-for-iran - https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3369168/us-forces-set-complete-withdrawal-iraq-after-2-decades