US ends 12-year Iraq mission as militia deadline moves to 2027

The United States is completing the withdrawal of about 2,500 troops from Iraq, ending its 12-year Operation Inherent Resolve mission against ISIS. The departure follows a 2024 agreement between Baghdad and Washington.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has described 1 October as a new day for national sovereignty, with four public holidays planned to mark “Independence Day”. The withdrawal does not end all foreign military deployments: Turkey still has troops in Iraq, though Ankara has said it will gradually hand over a base in the north.

Baghdad has extended until 30 June 2027 the deadline for armed groups to disarm and come under state control. The plan includes a 90-day period without attacks in exchange for assurances that US forces will not target the groups, followed by a gradual handover of weapons.

Whether the groups will comply remains uncertain. Deutsche Welle reports that several powerful factions have rejected disarmament or set conditions, while analysts cited by the outlet said some hard-line groups had given no indication they would surrender their weapons.

The US departure also includes military personnel and air defence systems in Erbil. US-Iraq ties are expected to shift towards economic and other cooperation, but the withdrawal leaves questions about security and the government’s ability to bring armed groups under state authority.