Baghdad/Washington – The United States has begun withdrawing its soldiers from Iraqi military bases. According to several Iraqi sources confirmed to the German press agency DPA on Sunday, American units are gradually leaving their positions, including the key Ain al-Asad base in the western Iraqi governorate of Anbar and the Victoria base near Baghdad International Airport.
Reports indicate that the troops are redeploying toward the autonomous Kurdistan Region and neighboring Kuwait. Official confirmation from Washington or Baghdad has not yet been issued.
Limited Presence Planned
The agreement between the U.S. and the Iraqi government, reached last year, stipulates that only a limited contingent of American soldiers will remain in the country. Their role will be restricted to advising and training Iraqi security forces. Combat missions are officially excluded.
This effectively reduces the international anti-ISIS coalition, which in recent years played a decisive role in military operations against the so-called “Islamic State,” to a non-combat function.
Background: In and Out Since 2003
The presence of American troops in Iraq has been marked by repeated withdrawals and returns. In 2003, U.S. forces invaded after Washington and London claimed that Saddam Hussein’s regime possessed weapons of mass destruction, describing them as an immediate threat to global security. These weapons were never found, but the dictator’s fall led to years of conflict between ethnic and religious groups.
In 2011, the U.S. military fully withdrew—only to return in 2014, when ISIS seized control over large parts of Iraq and Syria. The international coalition, which included Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, then supported Iraqi forces in the fight against ISIS.
ISIS was declared defeated in Iraq at the end of 2017, and in Syria in 2019. The Iraqi government therefore considers the coalition’s combat mission concluded.
Withdrawal Scheduled Until 2026
Currently, about 2,500 to 3,000 U.S. soldiers remain in Iraq. As early as September 2023, Reuters reported that a phased withdrawal was being prepared. According to those reports, several hundred soldiers are set to leave by September 2025, with the complete withdrawal planned by the end of 2026.
The Associated Press also noted at the time that geopolitical developments—such as a potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad—could influence the timeline.
Attacks by Pro-Iranian Militias
The withdrawal decision also comes amid heightened tensions. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, pro-Iranian militias have stepped up their attacks on U.S. military installations in Iraq. These attacks have increased pressure on Washington to reconsider its presence in the region and to reduce risks for American personnel.
Regional Implications
As the U.S. increasingly shifts its strategic focus to other geopolitical hotspots, such as the Indo-Pacific, the withdrawal could alter the balance of power in the Middle East. Iran, which already wields significant influence in Iraq, may benefit from the reduced American presence. At the same time, questions remain as to whether Iraqi security forces will be able to keep extremist groups fully in check without continued coalition support.
For Baghdad’s government, the agreement with Washington is a delicate balancing act: on the one hand, asserting national sovereignty by reducing U.S. troops, while on the other ensuring that stability in the country is not compromised.