Archive · 1 Oct 2026
U.S. Ends Iraq Mission Amid Militia and Regional Tensions
The United States has ended a 12-year military mission in Iraq.
The mission was created to fight the Islamic State.
Iraq’s government says the departure shows that Iraq is fully in charge of its own country.
However, powerful Iran-backed militias remain active.
Some of these groups have attacked American targets, according to the article.
Iraq’s government wants to bring the militias under state control by next year.
The northern Kurdistan region is worried about having less protection from attacks.
It is increasing its aerial security.
The withdrawal could also increase tensions between Iraq, Iran, the United States, and other regional powers.
The United States ended its 12-year Operation Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq on Wednesday.
The mission focused on defeating the jihadist Islamic State in Iraq.
Iran-backed Shiite militias may gain confidence as coalition forces leave, the article says.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government says the withdrawal restores Iraqi national sovereignty.
Kurdistan is strengthening aerial security amid concerns about militia attacks and reduced coalition protection.
- Who
- The United States, Iraq’s government, Iran-backed militias, and the Kurdistan regional government are the main parties involved.
- What
- The United States ended Operation Inherent Resolve, its latest Iraq mission.
- When
- The withdrawal was announced as occurring on Wednesday after a 12-year mission.
- Where
- Iraq, including the northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
- Why
- The mission was intended to defeat the Islamic State; the withdrawal also reflects a stated restoration of Iraqi sovereignty amid changing regional security conditions.
Sovereignty and Withdrawal Supporters
Security and Withdrawal Critics
Meaning of the departure
Sovereignty and Withdrawal Supporters
Iraq’s government presents the end of the mission as the restoration of Iraqi national sovereignty.
Security and Withdrawal Critics
Critics argue that leaving could create a security gap while militias remain powerful and regional tensions are rising.
Managing armed factions
Sovereignty and Withdrawal Supporters
The Iraqi government aims to disband or bring militias under state control by next year.
Security and Withdrawal Critics
The article says this target may be unrealistic because powerful factions continue to pressure the government and demand action against Kurdish groups.
Kurdistan’s security
Sovereignty and Withdrawal Supporters
The departure ends the coalition presence and could allow Baghdad to exercise greater centralized authority.
Security and Withdrawal Critics
Kurdistan faces concerns about militia attacks, reduced coalition protection, and possible erosion of its relative autonomy.
- Mission
- Operation Inherent Resolve
- Mission length
- 12 years
- Primary objective
- Fighting the jihadist Islamic State in Iraq
- Iraqi response
- The government described the withdrawal as a restoration of national sovereignty.
- Militia concern
- Iran-backed Shiite militias remain active and may feel emboldened.
- Kurdistan response
- The regional government is strengthening aerial security.
- Wider risk
- The article warns that Iraq’s political transition could be affected by conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.