বাংলাThe United States is set to complete the withdrawal of its remaining troops from Iraq after more than two decades of military presence. According to Reuters, the withdrawal from the last US bases is expected to be completed by September 30, marking the end of a military presence that began with the 2003 US invasion of Iraq.
Reuters reported that about 4,500 Americans died during more than two decades of war in Iraq. The withdrawal agreement was reached in 2024 under President Joe Biden’s administration and is now being implemented by President Donald Trump’s administration. The US troop withdrawal from Iraq is being viewed by Iran and its allied groups as a strategic gain.
Some Iraqi security analysts warn that the departure could give Iran-backed armed groups greater room to expand their political and security influence. Analyst Jasim al-Bahadli told Reuters that the US-led coalition presence had acted as a counterweight to Tehran’s influence in Iraq for years. The US troop withdrawal from Iraq could therefore alter the existing balance of influence.
Another concern is the possible resurgence of Islamic State. Although the group lost its territorial control in Iraq years ago, Iraqi and Kurdish officials say its underground networks remain active. They have warned that any security gaps following the withdrawal could create opportunities for the group to reorganize.
Kurdish commander Sirwan Barzani said the loss of US intelligence, logistical support and drone capabilities could provide Islamic State with additional opportunities to regroup. Reuters also reported that Iraqi security forces said they had identified a suspected Islamic State cell preparing attacks to coincide with the withdrawal.
Meanwhile, Abu Mojtaba al-Yasiri, a commander in the Iran-backed umbrella group Islamic Resistance in Iraq, described the withdrawal as a historic victory. That characterization reflects the group’s own political position. The US troop withdrawal from Iraq is consequently being interpreted differently by different Iraqi and regional actors.
The longer-term impact will depend in part on the ability of Iraqi security institutions to assume greater responsibility, while managing the influence of Iran-backed groups and preventing Islamic State from exploiting security gaps. The withdrawal therefore represents a significant change in Iraq’s security and regional environment.
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