The United States has reached an agreement with the Iraqi government to conclude the military mission in Iraq of an American-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group by next year. This decision includes U.S. troops leaving some bases that they have occupied for decades during the two-decade-long military presence in the country. However, the Biden administration did not disclose specific details regarding how many of the approximately 2,500 U.S. troops still serving in Iraq will remain there or confirm whether it will result in a complete withdrawal from the country.
The announcement comes during a contentious period for the Middle East, with escalating conflict between Israel and two Iranian-backed militant groups, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, posing a threat of a broader regional war. Bases housing U.S. forces and contractors have been frequently targeted by Iran-backed militias over the past few years, with an escalation of attacks following the Israel-Hamas war that erupted nearly a year ago.
Formal discussions to scale back the U.S. presence in Iraq have been ongoing for months, with Iraqi officials periodically advocating for a withdrawal of coalition forces. According to U.S. officials who briefed reporters, a two-phase transition in troops assigned to Iraq began this month. In the first phase through September 2025, the coalition mission against ISIS will conclude, and forces will vacate some long-standing bases.
During the second phase, extending through 2026, the U.S. will maintain operations in Iraq to support counter-ISIS efforts in Syria. The ultimate goal is for the U.S. military mission to shift towards a bilateral security relationship, but specifics regarding the number of American troops remaining in Iraq in the future were not disclosed.
Iraqi government officials mentioned that following the November election, American forces will begin departing from Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq and from Baghdad International Airport, with plans to relocate to Hareer base in Erbil, in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Some American troops may stay at Hareer base post-2026 at the request of the Kurdistan regional government.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani emphasized the importance of resolving the issue of the international coalition fighting ISIS, commending the capabilities of Iraqi security forces that vanquished the remnants of ISIS. The presence of U.S. troops has been a political concern for Sudani, given the increased influence of Iran on his government.
The agreement marks the third formal transition of the U.S. military’s role in Iraq over the past two decades. The initial U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 led to a significant military presence, with troop numbers peaking in 2007 during counterinsurgency operations. Following the drawdown of forces in 2011, a small contingent remained to assist with security. The emergence of ISIS in 2014 led to a renewed U.S. presence in Iraq and Syria to aid in rebuilding and training local police and military units.
As ISIS lost territory and military operations concluded in 2021, a remaining U.S. presence of about 2,500 troops remained in Iraq to provide training and conduct counter-ISIS operations with Iraqi forces. The ongoing U.S. presence aimed to deter Iranian-backed militias active in the region and impede the movement of weapons from Iran through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon, where they could be used by proxy forces against Israel.
