US completes troop withdrawal from Iraq, leaving security concerns
Summary
On September 30, 2026, President Trump announced the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, describing the country as being left in the hands of a "wonderful" Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, during a time when Iraqis celebrated the end of more than two decades of military presence. However, this departure raised concerns about a potential security vacuum, which some analysts feared could empower Iran-backed militias or allow for a resurgence of the Islamic State. The US pullout, agreed upon in 2024, signifies a shift in security responsibilities to Iraqi forces, as the Pentagon stated it would continue providing training and intelligence support, highlighting the ongoing complexities of Iraq's security landscape amid heightened regional tensions.