United States on schedule with withdrawing troops from Iraq

01/08/2026

ARBA’ILO (ERBIL), Iraq — Only weeks after Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited the United States and met with President Donald Trump to discuss the American withdrawal from his country, Al-Monitor reports that U.S. forces have now started pulling out their remaining troops from Iraq. The troops were stationed near Erbil International Airport in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Their withdrawal comes 2 months ahead of the scheduled deadline, planned for latest 30 September 2026, 

Al-Monitor, citing informed sources, also reports that Patriot ground-based air defense systems have already been removed from the military complex and redeployed to an undisclosed location. The withdrawal process began last week and is still ongoing. However, some other defensive weapons systems remain in place, and around 2000 soldiers are still stationed at the Harir Air Base in the KRI. 

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The withdrawal comes at a time when several key facilities in the KRI, including Arba’ilo International Airport, have come under rocket attacks launched by Iran and allied militias, known as Popular Mobilization Forces. 

Head of Research at the Consultancy Horizon Engage Michael Knights told Al-Monitor that that the removal of the Patriot batteries is a double-edged sword. “On one hand, they protect ground forces; on the other, they become targets themselves.” Knights declared that the American withdrawal does not necessarily mean an end to U.S.-Iraqi military cooperation, since special operations forces are still deployed at low-profile, undisclosed locations. 

Some analysts suggest that the withdrawal, happening at this pace, is a response to promises made by PM Al-Zaidi to dissolve all illegal armed militias in Iraq, promises that have not been sufficiently fulfilled. Other analysts point out that the KRI is no longer a top priority for the United States which is now shifting its focus more toward the Gulf states and Jordan.