US forces leave Iraq after two decades

US forces are set to leave their remaining bases in Iraq by Wednesday, ending a military presence that has lasted more than two decades and reshaping the security balance in a country where both Washington and Tehran have maintained strong influence.

The withdrawal follows an agreement reached in 2024 under former US President Joe Biden and implemented by the administration of President Donald Trump. The departure is being welcomed by Iran and its allied groups in Iraq, which view the end of the US military presence as a major political and strategic development.

Iraqi security analysts, however, have warned that the withdrawal could create challenges for the country. They say Iran-backed armed groups may gain greater room to expand their influence over security and political affairs. Some Iraqi officials and tribal leaders have also expressed concern that the country may not yet be fully prepared to manage all security responsibilities without international military support.

The United States invaded Iraq in 2003 to remove Saddam Hussein from power. American forces remained in the country for years, fighting an insurgency before withdrawing in 2011. They returned in 2014 after Islamic State seized large areas of Iraq, supporting Iraqi and Kurdish forces in a campaign that eventually defeated the militant group’s territorial control.

The US military presence has also been closely linked to tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iraq maintained relations with both countries and at times became a battleground for their competing interests. The United States killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in a 2020 strike near Baghdad airport, while Iran-aligned groups carried out repeated attacks against US positions in Iraq.

Iran has described the American withdrawal as a victory for its regional allies. Iranian officials have welcomed the departure and said they expect greater security once US forces leave Iraq and the wider region.

At the same time, Iraqi security officials are concerned about the possibility of Islamic State rebuilding its capabilities. Although the group lost its territorial control nearly a decade ago, its sleeper cells remain active in parts of the country.

Kurdish commander Sirwan Barzani said security forces had recently observed increased movement by suspected Islamic State sleeper cells. Iraqi officials have also reported an alleged plan by the militant group to carry out suicide attacks around the time of the US withdrawal.