🔶 Iraq's security challenges after the complete withdrawal of American forces

🔶 Iraq's security challenges after the complete withdrawal of American forces

Reporting by Jennifer Hollis

For the Iraqi government in Baghdad, September 30, 2026 is considered the end of an era. Ali Zaidi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, stated in a statement: "October 1st will be a new day for the Iraqi government; The day when the country will be free of any foreign military presence and national sovereignty will be realized over its entire territory.

This event will be celebrated as "Independence Day" with four official holiday days.

According to the 2024 agreement, the US will complete the withdrawal of its remaining 2,500 troops from Iraq by September 30. The withdrawal of these forces ends the 12-year mission of the US-led "Operation Strong Resolve" against the Salami government group (ISIS); a group that has been making advances in Iraq and neighboring Syria during that time.

This withdrawal also marks the end of more than two decades of American military presence in Iraq. After the American ground attack on Iraq in 2003, American forces left the country in 2011 and returned in 2014 to fight ISIS. The withdrawal of the troops is also in line with the US sheriff's strategy to reduce his military presence in the Middle East.