US Forces Complete Withdrawal From Iraq After Two Decades of War

US forces are set to leave their last bases in Iraq by Wednesday, ending more than two decades of military presence in a war that killed 4,500 Americans and is being celebrated by Iran and its allies as a strategic win.

Iran-Backed Groups Call Withdrawal a Victory

The pullout, agreed in 2024 under President Joe Biden and carried out under Donald Trump even as Washington wages war against Iran, has been described by pro Iranian militia commander Abu Mojtaba al-Yasiri as a historic victory and a crushing defeat for the American project. Iraqi security analyst Jasim al-Bahadli said Iran stands to benefit strategically since the coalition’s presence had acted as a counterweight to Tehran’s influence, and expects pro-Iranian groups to push for greater political and security influence.

Concerns Over Security Gaps and Islamic State

Not everyone welcomes the timing. Sunni tribal leader Abdulrahman al Zobaie said Iraq is not fully ready to take over security and fears the withdrawal could create a vacuum. Kurdish commander Sirwan Barzani said Islamic State sleeper cells have shown increased movement in recent weeks, and Iraqi officials say a suspected cell was preparing suicide attacks timed to the pullout.

Iran Frames Exit as Regional Win

Iranian official Amir Hayat Moqaddam said Tehran welcomes and supports the withdrawal, framing it as part of a broader goal to remove US forces from the Middle East. Washington has accused Iran-backed militias in Iraq of attacks across the region, including on a Saudi oil pipeline this month.