US-Militär in Nahost: Eine neue Balance: US-Truppen ziehen aus dem Irak ab

In a significant shift, over 20 years after Saddam Hussein's overthrow and following years of intense combat against the Islamic State (IS), the last US soldiers are set to leave Iraq. A US defense official confirmed this withdrawal on Tuesday, affirming a decision made in 2024, though combat operations ended in 2021. Only around 2,500 US troops remained to serve as advisors and trainers.

The removal of troops marks a new era of uncertainty as it comes nearly a decade after the US formally withdrew in 2011. This decision was driven by the rise of IS in 2014, which posed a new threat to the US and the world, leading to the initiation of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) to combat IS in Iraq and Syria. Despite the extensive US involvement, with more than 160,000 troops stationed at its peak, the removal of troops is being seen as a crucial demand from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Saidi and the powerful Iran-aligned militias.

The US withdrawal is also expected to strengthen Iran's influence in Iraq, potentially allowing them to continue attacking US assets and energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. Critics fear that the US withdrawal might echo the situation in Afghanistan, where a lack of adequate security measures following the military departure led to instability.

The Kurdish population, who have relied on US protection to maintain their autonomy, now faces a heightened threat. While the majority of Americans do not believe the Iraq War made the country safer, the US withdrawal aligns with President Trump's stated goal of reducing US military involvement in the Middle East and ending "forever wars."