Iraq will reach a milestone in its history on September 30, 2026. Ali Zaidi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, stated in a statement: "October 1st will be a new day in the path of the Iraqi government; a day when the country will be free from any foreign military presence and national sovereignty will be realized across its territory." This day will be celebrated with four days of official holidays as "Independence Day."
End of the 12-Year American Mission in Iraq
According to the 2024 agreement, the United States will complete the withdrawal of the remaining 2,500 troops from Iraq by September 30 (October 8). This action will end the 12-year mission of Operation "Resolute Resolve" led by the United States against the Islamic State (ISIS). After the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, American forces left the country in 2011 and returned in 2014 to fight ISIS. The withdrawal of troops is also part of a broader American strategy to reduce military presence in the Middle East.
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New Security Challenges After Withdrawal
However, the American withdrawal does not mean the end of the military presence of all foreign forces in Iraq. Turkey still has troops in Iraq and announced earlier this week that it will gradually hand over a military base in northern Iraq to Baghdad. Renad Mansour, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House, stated that Baghdad's political goal is to show that Iraq wants to remain an ally of the United States.
Ali Zaidi announced last week a new deadline for the disarmament of armed groups as June 30, 2027. This plan includes a 90-day period during which armed groups will refrain from armed activities in exchange for guarantees of not being targeted by American forces. However, many armed groups will not adhere to this plan.
Yerevan Saeed, a senior researcher, is concerned that Iraq's vulnerable ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians and Yazidis, will be at greater risk. He said: "This withdrawal marks the end of an era in which the presence of foreign forces acted as a shield against the aggression of central and regional powers."
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also emphasized that establishing a normal bilateral defense relationship between the U.S. and Iraq requires a secure environment free from terrorist pressure.
Read more: Pentagon Announces Withdrawal from Military Operations in Iraq · Baghdad Announces Start of Withdrawal of American Coalition Forces from Erbil
