US military in the Middle East: USA withdraw last soldiers from Iraq – power vacuum threatens
After the withdrawal of the US military, the Iraqi government must take care of its own security. The planned disarmament of powerful militias has been postponed. One of them is threatening the government.
The United States military has officially withdrawn its last soldiers from Iraq, marking an end to a twelve-year military campaign aimed at defeating the Islamic State and stabilizing the region. According to the Pentagon, the removal of the remaining troops signals a shift in responsibility to the Iraqi government, who must now address security challenges including remnants of ISIS and allied militias.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Saidi emphasized that the departure of international forces does not signify the end of the fight against terrorism but rather a transition to a new phase where Iraq assumes full responsibility for its own security and stability. Regional powers such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, along with other Shiite groups, have threatened to destabilize the situation further.
The withdrawal was completed by late 2022, concluding a controversial chapter in US military engagement in the Middle East.
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