{
  "id": 10826815,
  "title": "US forces exit Iraq, emboldening Iran’s proxies and Islamic State",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/us-forces-exit-iraq-emboldening-irans-proxies-and-islamic-state-10826815",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T00:35:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/30/us-forces-exit-iraq-emboldening-iran-s-proxies-and-islamic-state"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Wednesday, US forces withdrew from their remaining bases in Iraq, sparking concerns about a security vacuum and the potential rise of Iranian-backed militias and the Islamic State group. The exit, welcomed by Iran and its allies, was negotiated in 2024 under President Joe Biden, despite ongoing conflict with Iran. This marks the end of a 23-year occupation that began with the 2003 invasion, resulting in over 4,500 American deaths and the installation of a Shi'ite-led government.\n\nWhile the withdrawal is broadly welcomed by Iraqis, there are fears that US-trained and funded security forces may struggle to maintain order. Analyst Jassim al-Bahadli warns that the absence of a Western military presence could leave the country vulnerable, as Iraq still lacks sufficient air defense capabilities. Iraq's security forces, both in the federal government and the Kurdish region, fear that Iran's proxies may exploit the situation to expand their influence and consolidate their presence in key institutions.\n\nThe Islamic State group, despite being defeated nearly a decade ago, still possesses a sleeper cell network. US troops had provided crucial intelligence on the group's movements and aerial surveillance, which could now be lost. General Mohammed al-Jubouri, a retired Iraqi Army leader, warns of a worst-case scenario where the Islamic State obtains armed drones or improvised explosive devices, given Iraq's current lack of air defense capabilities.",
  "summary": "The departure was agreed in 2024 under president Joe Biden and carried out by Donald Trump's administration even as it wages war against Iran.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Was Iran behind a ‘terror plot’ targeting US forces in Britain?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/was-iran-behind-a-terror-plot-targeting-us-forces-in-britain",
        "published": "2026-09-29T22:09:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "US forces exit Iraq, emboldening Iran’s proxies and Islamic State",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/us-forces-exit-iraq-emboldening-irans-proxies-and-islamic-state-10820588",
        "published": "2026-09-30T00:35:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "US forces exit Iraq, emboldening Iran's proxies and Islamic State",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/us-forces-exit-iraq-emboldening-irans-proxies-and-islamic-state",
        "published": "2026-09-30T00:46:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Asia Times",
        "title": "Final US military withdrawal from Iraq is a major bonus for Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/final-us-military-withdrawal-from-iraq-is-a-major-bonus-for-iran",
        "published": "2026-09-30T01:54:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Iran appeals to US voters as American troops leave Iraq",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/iran-appeals-to-us-voters-as-american-troops-leave-iraq",
        "published": "2026-09-30T02:55:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Iran appeals to US voters as American troops leave Iraq",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/iran-appeals-to-us-voters-as-american-troops-leave-iraq-10853816",
        "published": "2026-09-30T03:46:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}