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Iraq Completes U.S. Troop Withdrawal as Security Fears Rise

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 10:52 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Iraq Ends U.S. Pullout

Iraq completed the withdrawal of U.S. forces by September 30, ending the American presence.
Around 2,500 U.S. combat and support troops left Iraq under the 2024 agreement.
Iran-aligned militias hailed the exit as a victory, saying lasting security will prevail in Iraq.
Iraqi security officials said a suspected Islamic State cell planned suicide attacks to coincide with the pullout.

Summary

Iran Boosts Iraqi Energy

Iran deepened Iraq’s economic lifeline by supplying more gas and electricity amid sanctions.
U.S. control of Iraqi oil revenues via the New York bank ended, removing Washington’s leverage.
Iraq’s oil exports dropped to 1.35 million barrels per day from 3.4 million, costing $60 billion.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi seeks more crude sales to Germany and German industrial technology.
Kurdish officials warn loss of U.S. air defenses makes Kurdistan vulnerable to Iranian drones.

History

Historical Context

The 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, launched in March 2003, toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime and sparked a protracted insurgency. At its peak, the United States stationed roughly 150,000 troops in Iraq, while the Coalition Provisional Authority managed $20 billion in reconstruction funds. Today, the 2024 complete U.S. pullout of about 2,500 personnel mirrors the earlier exit, as Iran-backed militias and Baghdad’s oil-revenue shifts echo the post-invasion power vacuum. The precedent of foreign troop withdrawals suggests Iraq’s security now hinges on regional actors like Iran and Germany, reshaping Middle-East strategic balances.

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Iraq Ends U.S. Pullout

Iraq completed the withdrawal of U.S. forces by September 30, ending the American presence.
Around 2,500 U.S. combat and support troops left Iraq under the 2024 agreement.
Iran-aligned militias hailed the exit as a victory, saying lasting security will prevail in Iraq.
Iraqi security officials said a suspected Islamic State cell planned suicide attacks to coincide with the pullout.

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