Iraq marks sovereignty as US troops depart, security shifts begin

The scene on September 30 unfolds as the last U.S. units depart an Erbil base, and Iraqi officials declare a new phase of sovereignty¹⁰. In the days leading up to the exit, Iraq and the United States followed a planned wind-down agreed in 2024, with forces gradually pulling back from bases across the country and finally leaving the Kurdish region^1,14.

Baghdad framed the withdrawal as a milestone that cements Iraq’s strength and its ability to manage security with a more normal bilateral relationship with Washington¹⁰. As the convoy moves out, celebrations in Najaf and Baghdad reflect a national sense of autonomy, while Kurdish regions voice concerns about future stability and the risk of militias gaining ground without a strong U.S.

counterweight^8,14. The broader regional response includes Iran-backed groups welcoming the change, and analysts caution that Iraq may face new security tests as foreign influence shifts and Iraqi forces assume full responsibility for security duties^6,7,14.

The narrative ends with a clear pivot: Iraq will increasingly rely on its own institutions and security forces, while the U.S. transitions to training and intelligence roles to support a sovereign Iraq going forward^4,10,21.