Iraq's Prime Minister al-Saidi announces complete US withdrawal by end of September

From the 2003 invasion to the anti-IS coalition

In 2014, Washington launched an international coalition against the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS), after it had overrun large areas in Iraq and neighboring Syria. The coalition progressively expanded its presence until IS was militarily defeated.

Before the most recent reductions, approximately 2,500 American soldiers were stationed in Iraq, according to US figures. As early as January, US soldiers had fully evacuated the strategically important Ain al-Assad base and handed over control to Iraqi security forces. US troops currently remain in Erbil in the Kurdish region, at a base near Baghdad airport, and in the government zone known as the Green Zone.

Linkage with militia disarmament

Al-Saidi's government links the planned withdrawal to the disarmament of militias that hold considerable military and political influence in Iraq. These groups receive varying degrees of support from Iran. IS is considered militarily defeated, but IS fighters remain active in both countries and continue to carry out attacks. The deadline for militia disarmament is September 30, 2026, according to the Iraqi government.

Above all, the Iran-affiliated militias and political forces in the country have long demanded the complete withdrawal of the Americans. However, the most influential militias reject the disarmament step, according to government circles in Baghdad. Al-Saidi announced: "Die bewaffneten Gruppen hätten nach diesem Datum kein Existenzrecht mehr, sagte al-Saidi."

In parallel to the political negotiations, the US military continues to carry out airstrikes in Iraq: it bombs IS targets as well as Tehran-allied militias in the course of the Iran war. Washington's military presence in the region thus remains an issue even after the withdrawal date.

Meeting at the White House

Trump received his counterpart in the Oval Office and honored him with praise: Trump praised his guest as a "great leader." "This man just won an important election. You will be very well represented," he said about the Iraqi population. It is al-Saidi's first official trip abroad since he took office as head of government in the spring.

The businessman al-Saidi was previously a largely unknown figure in politics. Alongside Trump, he affirmed the desire for full responsibility of Iraqi security forces. Trump responded accordingly: "Man sei da, um zu helfen, wenn der Irak das brauche, glaube allerdings nicht, dass das nötig sei." He also said: "Nun, wir glauben nicht, dass wir das Militär dort noch brauchen."

The US had already noticeably reduced troop strength in Iraq over the past months. With the announced date, this process is considered complete, provided the political conditions are met by the end of September. Observers interpret the step as a signal to Tehran and as confirmation of Washington's strategic shift in the Middle East.

Open questions and risks

It remains unclear how the militias critical of disarmament will react to the announcement. Should they ignore the deadline, the timeframe could become a stress test for the new government in Baghdad. The question of whether US airstrikes in Iraq will continue after the ground troop withdrawal has also not been conclusively answered.

International observers see the announced withdrawal as the provisional endpoint of a military presence lasting more than two decades. The interfaces with the international coalition, Iraqi domestic politics, and the conflict with Iran will shape events in the coming weeks.