Baghdad – The United States is moving closer to ending its military presence in Iraq, with U.S. forces continuing a phased withdrawal ahead of a planned September 30 deadline agreed with the Iraqi government.
According to reports, U.S. forces have begun withdrawing Patriot air defence systems from Erbil in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region as part of the drawdown. The withdrawal follows months of heightened security threats, including repeated attacks on U.S. positions and military installations in northern Iraq.
If completed as scheduled, the withdrawal will end more than two decades of continuous U.S. military presence in Iraq, which began with the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Remaining American personnel in Iraqi Kurdistan are expected to depart by the end of September under the agreed timetable.
The planned exit comes amid growing regional tensions and concerns over the future security of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, which has relied in part on U.S. military support and air defence capabilities. Analysts note that the withdrawal could leave Kurdish authorities facing greater security challenges as tensions with Iran-backed armed groups continue.
