U.S. Troops Withdraw from Iraq's Ain al-Asad Airbase

U.S. forces have withdrawn from Iraq’s Ain al-Asad Airbase, marking a strategic shift in U.S.-Iraq relations. This move, formalized in 2024, transitions their partnership towards a bilateral security relationship, amidst historical tensions with Iran-backed groups targeting the base following the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

In a pivotal development, U.S. forces have officially pulled out from Iraq's Ain al-Asad Airbase, transferring full control to the Iraqi army, as the Iraqi defense ministry announced on Saturday.

This withdrawal comes after a 2024 accord between Washington and Baghdad that aimed to redefine their military collaboration from a coalition-focused approach to a bilateral security partnership. The airbase has been a critical site, with a history of being targeted by Iran-backed armed groups, especially in the aftermath of the 2020 U.S. operation that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

An Iraqi army colonel corroborated the recent exit, noting that a few U.S. soldiers remain due to logistical challenges. While details remain scarce, plans indicate a phased departure of troops, with the main contingent expected to leave by September 2025 and the complete withdrawal by the end of 2026.

(With inputs from agencies.)