The last US troops left an air base in northern Iraq under a deal between Baghdad and Washington.
What's Next for Iraq?
The withdrawal marks a transition from a wartime coalition mission to an Iraqi-led security effort supported by a more normal bilateral security relationship.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi presided over the handover ceremony and described the US withdrawal as the beginning of a 'new phase, one defined by Iraq's sovereignty, the strength of its institutions, the readiness of its forces, the unity of its decision-making, and balanced partnerships with its friends.'
This new phase is a result of the US-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, signed in 2008, which aimed to establish a long-term partnership between the two countries. The agreement outlined the US commitment to supporting Iraq's security and stability, while also promoting economic and cultural cooperation.
However, the US military presence in Iraq has been a subject of controversy and debate. Some have argued that the US presence has been a necessary measure to counter the threat of the Islamic State group, while others have criticized the US for prolonging its military presence in the country.
What's Behind the Withdrawal?
The withdrawal of US troops from Iraq is a significant development in the country's security landscape. The US military presence had been scaled down in recent years, but the complete withdrawal marks a major shift in the country's security dynamics.
The effects of the US withdrawal may not be immediately visible, particularly since the US military presence had already been scaled down. However, the withdrawal is likely to have significant implications for the security situation in Iraq and the region.
According to the US military, the withdrawal was carried out in accordance with a deal between Baghdad and Washington. The deal, which was negotiated over several months, aimed to ensure a smooth transition of security responsibilities from the US military to the Iraqi security forces.
Regional Reactions
However, some officials in Iraq's Kurdish region have expressed anxiety about the departure of US troops. The Kurdish regional government's Peshmerga Ministry said the Kurdish region had faced more than 1,000 drone and ballistic-missile attacks during the recent US-Iran conflict.
'The departure of the United States from the Kurdistan Region under these complex regional circumstances, without the provision of a defense system, is a matter of concern,'
the ministry said.
What's at Stake?
Iran-allied groups in Iraq, meanwhile, have celebrated the US withdrawal.
'The expulsion of the occupation forces, defeated, from the land of Iraq is the beginning of full sovereignty,'
Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, a security official with the powerful Kataib Hezbollah militia, said in a statement.
He added a warning to al-Zaidi and his government not to carry out American plans, threatening that 'any government that does not work for the benefit of the people will be overthrown by all means.'
Sources
- Wfla: U.S. ends 12-year ISIS mission in Iraq
- New York Post: The US military says its withdrawal of troops from Iraq is complete
