US completes military withdrawal from Iraq after 23-year presence
The United States has completed its withdrawal of military forces from Iraq, ending a military presence that lasted 23 years and began with the 2003 invasion. The departure raises concerns about regional stability, as Iran-backed militias and Islamic State remnants could gain influence. Following the American exit, the Iran-backed militia Kata'ib Hezbollah announced it would suspend military operations but retain its weapons to defend Iraqi airspace.
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The withdrawal of American troops from Iraq has been completed this week, concluding a 23-year military presence that started with the 2003 invasion ordered by President George W. Bush and continued through a 12-year campaign against the Islamic State group. According to Reuters, the departure risks encouraging Iran-aligned proxy militias and remaining Islamic State forces, raising questions about the stability of Iraq, a country that has been central to American foreign policy for generations.
In response to the American exit, Ahmad al-Hamidawi, the leader of Kata'ib Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed militia, announced that his group would suspend its military activities in Iraq with one exception: the group will continue targeting hostile aircraft that violate Iraqi airspace. A spokesperson for Jaafar al-Husseini, representing the umbrella organisation of which Kata'ib Hezbollah is part, stated that negotiations with the Iraqi government regarding the group's weapons had failed to reach agreement. He emphasised that the "weapons of the Resistance will remain as a trust in the hands of the fighters" and would be used against any enemy that targets Iraq and its people.
The end of the American military presence represents a significant shift in Middle Eastern security arrangements, with observers assessing whether Baghdad can maintain stability without direct American military support in the country.
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