US forces complete departure from Iraq as anti

US forces completed their departure from Iraq on September 30 as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi marked this occasion as “Sovereignty Day.” Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), stated that US and Coalition forces would remain ready to respond to ISIS threats after handing responsibility to the Iraqi Government. The US forces began departing Iraq in October and had largely based themselves in Erbil, especially following Iranian-backed attacks in 2019–2020. Furthermore, the US handed over facilities in Baghdad, such as the Diplomatic Support Center at Baghdad International Airport. Officials in Iraq framed the departure as Iraq regaining sovereignty. Reactions varied regionally; the Kurdistan Region expressed concern regarding an increased air-defense challenge following Iranian missile and drone attacks, while Iranian-backed militias viewed the withdrawal as a turning point. Discussions continue regarding security ties, with Iraqi officials noting that the end of the US mission does not eliminate cooperation, suggesting a shift toward bilateral intelligence sharing.

The narrative surrounding the US withdrawal highlights a tension between sovereign transition and ongoing regional power dynamics. The framing by Iraqi officials emphasizing sovereignty is immediately complicated by the visible shifts in security control and external pressures exerted by non-state actors. A key pattern emerges in how the vacuum left by the Coalition is filled: while official narratives stress Iraqi sovereignty, militant groups interpret the departure as an opportunity to redefine local power structures, demanding concessions like the dissolution of the Peshmerga. This dynamic suggests that sovereignty is not simply a legal transfer but a contested process where external withdrawals catalyze internal power negotiations. The focus on security partnerships shifting toward bilateral cooperation reveals a strategic pivot rather than a complete severing of ties; it indicates that geopolitical realities necessitate flexible alignment between Baghdad and regional actors, regardless of the departing coalition's presence. The divergence in regional responses—concern over airspace security in the Kurdistan Region versus reactions from militias—demonstrates how different local security concerns are leveraged to shape the broader political outcome. This suggests a foundational assumption that stability is contingent upon managing competing demands for legitimacy and security within the new Iraqi landscape.