Story perspectives

U.S. Withdraws from Erbil Air Base, Ending 12-Year Mission

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 4:35 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. forces withdrew from Erbil Air Base in Iraq’s Kurdish region on September 30, 2026, ending a 12-year mission.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi called the withdrawal a new phase of Iraqi sovereignty and stronger institutions.
Kurdish officials warned that losing U.S. air-defense systems could increase vulnerability to drone and missile attacks.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi pushed the militia-disarmament deadline to June 2027.

History

Historical Context

The 2008 U.S.–Iraq Status of Forces Agreement set a Dec 31 2011 deadline, and the United States completed that withdrawal in Dec 2011. After re-entering in 2014 to fight ISIS, the combat mission ended in Dec 2021 with roughly 2,500 troops left. Following a Sep 2024 pledge to finish the drawdown by 2026, Iraqi official Ali al-Zaidi said on 30 Sep 2026 the U.S. will exit Erbil Air Base, sparking security concerns.

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Story summary

U.S. forces withdrew from Erbil Air Base in Iraq’s Kurdish region on September 30, 2026, ending a 12-year mission.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi called the withdrawal a new phase of Iraqi sovereignty and stronger institutions.
Kurdish officials warned that losing U.S. air-defense systems could increase vulnerability to drone and missile attacks.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi pushed the militia-disarmament deadline to June 2027.

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