After over a decade, US-led coalition forces have completed their withdrawal from Iraq, marking the end of a mission that aimed to combat ISIS but also sparked ongoing tensions with local factions. The coalition, which deployed to Iraq and Syria in 2014 to counter the Islamic State (IS), gradually reduced its presence following the group’s defeat in Iraq in 2017 and Syria in 2019. A 2024 agreement between Baghdad and Washington set the stage for the withdrawal, with troops exiting bases across the country and restricting their operations to the Kurdish region, where the final exit is scheduled for Wednesday.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi declared October 1—following the coalition’s departure—as Sovereignty Day, framing the withdrawal as a milestone in reclaiming state authority. The government has sought to consolidate its monopoly on arms, urging Tehran-backed militant groups to disarm. However, initial plans to set a September 30 deadline for disarming factions were abandoned as negotiations continued, with powerful groups like Kataeb Hezbollah resisting and demanding an end to US political and economic influence. The government now faces pressure to resolve the issue without provoking further conflict.
Tehran-backed factions, which once collaborated with the coalition against ISIS, have increasingly targeted US forces since the group’s defeat, prompting retaliatory strikes that killed several commanders. Kataeb Hezbollah, a key player, welcomed the coalition’s exit as a step toward sovereignty but warned that Zaidi’s government would face “all possible means” if it fails to act in the people’s interest. Meanwhile, Kurdish leaders in Erbil expressed anxiety over security gaps, citing repeated drone attacks on their autonomous region and uncertainty about future protection after coalition forces depart.
The withdrawal follows the coalition’s earlier exit from Syria and underscores the complex interplay between Iraqi sovereignty, regional power dynamics, and lingering security risks. While the government emphasizes state authority, factions continue to leverage foreign troop presence as a political tool, complicating efforts to stabilize the country. The final phase of the mission’s conclusion now hinges on balancing these competing interests amid unresolved tensions.
US-Led Coalition Completes Iraq Withdrawal After Decade-Long Mission