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US forces withdrew from Iraq
October 1, 2026
The US finished pulling its forces out of Iraq on Wednesday, ending the coalition mission against ISIS that began in 2014 and leaving Iraqi forces in charge of security.
US forces returned to Iraq in 2014 to fight the Islamic State.
Key facts
- PBS asked what the American pullout from Iraq alters in practical terms from now on.
CNN reports that the US completed its withdrawal from Iraq on Wednesday, a move the Iraqi government and the Pentagon welcomed and that Iran and its allies claim as their own win. Sean Parnell said, “It also marks a transition from a wartime coalition mission to an Iraqi-led security effort supported by a more normal bilateral security relationship.” CNN places the exit inside a phased plan agreed in 2024 under the Biden administration and kept by the Trump administration, and it focuses on the armed groups aligned with Iran. “The Iran-backed groups viewed the US presence an extension of the occupation of Iraq,” said Lahib Higel. Higel said, “For as long as the regime stands in Tehran, it would be very difficult to imagine that the groups would lay down their arms.”
PBS carries an interview in which Geoff Bennett asks two former diplomats what the departure means. James Jeffrey, a former US ambassador to Iraq, calls it a mission accomplished and says a US military presence remains under the embassy, while Feisal Istrabadi voices concern about the Kurdistan region and a possible return of the Islamic State. Al Jazeera reports that Baghdad is holding four Sovereignty Days from September 30 to October 3, and it details the security gaps: the Kurdish ministry counts more than 1,000 attacks on the region by drones and ballistic missiles since February 28, and air defence systems are leaving with the troops. KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said, “Leaving the Kurdistan region without providing any defence system is a cause for concern.” The Pentagon statement on the conclusion of the mission matches the CNN account of the exit.
The outlets agree that the withdrawal is complete and that the US keeps a security relationship with Baghdad. They differ in emphasis rather than fact: CNN dwells on militia disarmament, PBS on the cost and legacy of the war, and Al Jazeera on air defence and the Kurdish region. Whether the militias disarm, and whether Iraqi forces can hold off ISIL and protect their airspace, is still developing.
Still developing
What is known about how Iran forced the American departure was still coming in at the time of this draft.
How settled the reporting is
Sources
- CNN — US troops complete Iraq exit, as Iran and its allies celebrate
- PBS — Former diplomats assess U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and region's future
- Al Jazeera — How does Iraq’s security change after US forces withdraw? | Military News | Al Jazeera
- U.S. Department of War (.gov) — Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell on the Conclusion of the U.S. Military Mission in Iraq
Toggle read the full reports of 4 of the 5 outlets counted on this event. The other 1 are counted from their headlines and opening sentences.