{
  "id": 5998012,
  "title": "US withdrawal from Iraq will be watched closely by Iran-backed militias, Kurds - analysis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/us-withdrawal-from-iraq-will-be-watched-closely-by-iran-backed",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-06T16:26:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-907730"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the United States prepares to withdraw from Iraq by September 30, analysts warn that Iran-backed militias and Kurdish groups are closely monitoring the situation. Kurdish media outlet Rudaw reported that the US intends to remove defense systems and troops from the Kurdistan Region, a claim that may not be entirely verifiable but could prompt concerns among regional powers. Senior Iraqi security official Qasim al-Araji stated that the withdrawal includes all defense systems, including those in Erbil, and has already begun. The US has expressed readiness to fulfill the agreement, but there are doubts about the effectiveness of disarming the militias before the deadline. In fact, the militias have continued to target the Kurdistan Region with over 1,000 drone and missile attacks since February 2026. Additionally, the US is pressuring Iraq to rein in Iranian-backed militias and disarm them, but progress has been slow, with many militias claiming their weapons are already under \"state control.\" Some Iranian-backed militias, such as Kataib Hezbollah, Sayyid al-Shuhada, and Harakat al-Nujaba, have refused to disarm and remain a significant threat. As the deadline approaches, the question remains whether the US will maintain its air defenses in Erbil and if the militias will comply with the disarmament demands.",
  "summary": "Iranian-backed militias and Iran have already targeted the Kurdistan region with more than 1,000 drone and missile attacks since February 2026, and it will be vulnerable if the US withdraws.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "The Kurds rose as Syria and Iraq collapsed - now, their fortunes are reversing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/the-kurds-rose-as-syria-and-iraq-collapsed-now-their-fortunes-are",
        "published": "2026-09-05T14:50:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}