US Military Set to Exit Iraq by September 30, Closing a 23-Year Chapter

Iraq is set to bid farewell to the last of the US military presence by September 30, 2026, marking the end of a tumultuous 23-year chapter that began with the 2003 invasion to oust Saddam Hussein. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made the 'final and irreversible' announcement this week, confirming a pivotal moment for Iraqi sovereignty after decades of foreign military involvement. This deadline signals the complete conclusion of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS military mission in the country, transitioning the long-standing security relationship into a new era. This withdrawal comes after years of phased reductions and follows the US military return in 2014 to counter the brutal rise of ISIS, a group it had largely defeated. While the immediate threat from ISIS has diminished, concerns linger about its potential resurgence and the ongoing influence of Iran-backed armed groups within Iraq, which Prime Minister al-Zaidi has vowed to bring under state control. The original 2003 invasion, known as Operation Iraqi Freedom, was justified by what later proved to be erroneous claims of Weapons of Mass Destruction, leading to a complex and costly occupation. As October 1 approaches, Iraq plans to assert full national sovereignty, focusing on strengthening its own security forces and fostering broader economic and developmental partnerships with the US. The immediate challenge for Baghdad will be managing the disarming of non-state armed groups and ensuring stability in the absence of a foreign military presence, especially in the Kurdish region where US troops have been withdrawing. This shift represents a crucial test for Iraq future, as it navigates complex regional dynamics and aims for independent stability.