U.S. troops withdraw from remaining military bases in Iraq, Iraq declares "Sovereignty Day"

After more than a decade, the US military evacuated its remaining military bases in Iraq on Wednesday (September 30).

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced that October 1, the day after the withdrawal of coalition forces, should be celebrated as "Sovereignty Day".

The heads of Iraq's executive, legislative and judicial institutions said on Monday that it was "a national anniversary that confirms the completion of Iraq's path to sovereignty and consolidates the existence and status of the country and its institutions."

U.S. and allied forces deployed to Iraq and Syria in 2014 to fight the extremist organization "Islamic State" (IS). At the time, the group controlled large swathes of territory in both countries.

The "Islamic State" militants were defeated in Iraq in 2017 and lost power in Syria in 2019, but coalition forces continue to remain to combat the remnants of the organization.

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U.S. troops have completely withdrawn from Iraq, 23 years after the U.S.-led coalition overthrew the regime of Saddam Hussein in 2003. After the fall of Saddam, Iraq experienced a long period of turmoil and chaos, and then the rise of the "Islamic State".

Iran celebrates withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

Iran and its allies welcomed the withdrawal of U.S. troops. This withdrawal arrangement was agreed with Iraq in 2024 by then-US President Joe Biden and is now being implemented during the administration of Donald Trump, despite the ongoing US military confrontation with Iran.

Iran has always maintained that there should be no U.S. military power in the Middle East and therefore views the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq as a victory for its "Axis of Resistance" strategy. The so-called "axis of resistance" refers to the network of armed organizations supported and allied with Iran across the Middle East, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi armed forces in Yemen.

However, the withdrawal of U.S. troops has also triggered concerns about the deterioration of the regional security situation. Analysts believe that Shiite militia groups supported by Iran may take the opportunity to expand their influence and compete for more control, while the remnants of the extremist organization "Islamic State" may also take the opportunity to regroup.

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