U.S. forces ended their military mission in Iraq on Wednesday, closing another chapter in more than two decades of American military involvement in the country.
Reuters reported that the withdrawal, centered on the remaining U.S. presence at an airbase in Erbil, follows an agreement reached in 2024. The Pentagon said the United States and its coalition partners have formally concluded Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.
American support will not disappear entirely. According to the Pentagon announcement cited by Reuters, the U.S. will continue providing targeted training and intelligence assistance to Iraqi partners. Iraqi forces will now take the lead in maintaining security and containing remaining Islamic State networks.
The departure has also drawn attention to Iran-backed armed groups operating in Iraq. Some Iraqi security officials and analysts have raised concerns that these groups could gain greater influence following the U.S. exit.
Another concern is Islamic State, which still maintains sleeper cells despite losing the territory it once controlled. Iraqi security institutions now face the task of addressing those threats with a reduced American military presence.
