US Ends Military Mission in Iraq as Baghdad Prepares Sovereignty Day on October 1
The troop mission of the United States in Iraq has officially concluded, coinciding with Baghdad's upcoming Sovereignty Day on October 1. This withdrawal is in accordance with a 2024 agreement established between Washington and Baghdad to conclude the coalition's operations, which were initially initiated to combat the Islamic State. Troops have systematically vacated bases throughout the nation, concentrating their presence in the autonomous Kurdistan region in the north. While the coalition succeeded in defeating ISIS in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019, forces remained to address the remnants of the group. Concerns have been raised by some observers regarding the potential for pro-Iran armed factions to increase their influence in Iraq following the exit of the US-led coalition.
Key facts
- The US has ended its troop mission in Iraq.
- Baghdad will celebrate Sovereignty Day on October 1.
- The US and Iraq agreed in 2024 to wind down the coalition's mission.
- Troops withdrew gradually from bases across Iraq, restricting their presence to the autonomous northern Kurdistan region.
- The coalition was originally deployed to fight Islamic State.
- The group was defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019.
- Coalition forces stayed on to battle the group's remnants.
- Some fear pro-Iran armed groups could expand in Iraq with the withdrawal.
Entities
Institutions
- US-led coalition
- Islamic State
Locations
- Iraq
- Baghdad
- United States
- Syria
- Kurdistan region