Withdrawal marks end of long presence
The last American bases in Iraq will be evacuated by this Wednesday (30). The move, negotiated still in 2024 under Biden and completed during the Trump administration, is celebrated by Tehran and its militias as a strategic defeat for Washington.
Nearly 4,500 US soldiers died in more than two decades of operations in the country.
Expanding Iranian influence
Local analysts warn that the American absence removes an important counterweight to the actions of Shiite groups backed by Iran. Jasim al-Bahadli, security expert, predicts that the factions will try to turn the withdrawal into greater weight on political and security decisions.
Commanders of the Iraqi Islamic Resistance already classify the episode as a “historic victory” and “crushing defeat” of the American project.
History of interventions
- 2003: invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein
- 2011: first withdrawal
- 2014-2017: return to fight the Islamic State
In recent years, Iraq maintained simultaneous relations with Washington and Tehran, sometimes serving as a stage for indirect confrontations.
Risks of instability
Kurdish and Sunni tribal authorities fear that the vacuum will open space for the resurgence of the Islamic State. Dormant cells have already shown movement since the announcement of the exit, according to Sirwan Barzani.
The group, which once controlled a third of Iraqi territory, remains capable of planning attacks, security sources indicate.
Tehran reaction
The Iranian Parliament welcomed the departure of the troops and stated that “lasting security” will prevail without the American presence. Washington, in turn, accuses pro-Iran militias of attacks on regional targets under orders from Tehran.