{
  "id": 10727119,
  "title": "As the US pulls its forces out of Iraq, what happens to Iran-backed armed groups?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/as-the-us-pulls-its-forces-out-of-iraq-what-happens-to-iran-backed-10727119",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T16:01:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/us-pulls-its-forces-out-iraq-what-happens-iran-backed-armed-groups"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nWhile 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.",
  "summary": "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…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "As the US pulls its forces out of Iraq, what happens to Iran-backed armed groups?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/as-the-us-pulls-its-forces-out-of-iraq-what-happens-to-iran-backed",
        "published": "2026-09-29T15:22:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "U.S. forces set to leave Iraq after first arriving in 2003",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/u-s-forces-set-to-leave-iraq-after-first-arriving-in-2003",
        "published": "2026-09-29T16:35:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}