As the US pulls its forces out of Iraq, what happens to Iran-backed armed groups?
As the US pulls its forces out of Iraq, what happens to Iran-backed armed groups? The US has announced the withdrawal of its forces from Iraq, 23 years after the invasion that overthrew Saddam Hussein. The development has been hailed by the Iraqi government as a final return to "national sovereignty" after years of American involvement in the country. "October 1 will be a new day in the course of…
As the United States withdraws its forces from Iraq following a 23-year presence, the question arises regarding the fate of Iran-backed armed groups operating within the country. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi heralded the withdrawal as a return to Iraq's national sovereignty after years of American involvement. However, this statement overlooks Turkey's continued military presence in the nation, albeit with plans to relinquish its Bashiqa-Zilkan base to Iraqi authorities soon.
While the U.S. exit from Iraq is set for September 30, the deadline also encompassed the disarming of extra-governmental armed groups. These groups, influential since the fall of Saddam Hussein, have historically wielded significant power in the country. The report from April 8, 2026, highlighted the presence of Iraq's pro-Iran paramilitary group, Hezbollah Brigades (Kataeb Hezbollah), mourning the loss of one of their comrades in a recent strike in Basra.
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