US Forces Withdraw from Iraq After Two Decades, Raising Concerns Over Iran’s Influence

US forces are set to withdraw from their remaining bases in Iraq by Wednesday, ending more than two decades of American military involvement in the country.

The withdrawal, agreed in 2024 under then-President Joe Biden and carried out by President Donald Trump’s administration, comes as Washington is engaged in a war with Iran. The move is being viewed by Iran and its allied groups as a major victory.

About 4,500 Americans were killed during more than two decades of US military operations in Iraq. American forces first invaded Iraq in 2003 to overthrow Saddam Hussein and later returned in 2014 to help Iraqi forces defeat Islamic State.

Iraqi security analysts have warned that the withdrawal could increase Iran’s influence over Iraq, particularly through armed groups allied with Tehran. Jasim al-Bahadli, an Iraqi security analyst, said Iran could benefit strategically because the departure removes a US military presence that had served as a counterweight to Tehran’s influence.

Iran-backed groups have celebrated the withdrawal as a victory. Abu Mojtaba al-Yasiri, a commander with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, described it as a “historic victory” for Iraqi resistance groups.

However, some Iraqis fear the withdrawal could create a security vacuum.

Abdulrahman al-Zobaie, a Sunni tribal leader in Fallujah, said Iraqis want full sovereignty but warned that the country may not yet be prepared to take complete responsibility for its security.

There are also concerns that Islamic State could exploit the situation. Iraqi and Kurdish security officials say the group still maintains sleeper cells despite losing its territorial control nearly a decade ago.

Kurdish commander Sirwan Barzani said Islamic State activity had increased after the announcement of the international coalition’s withdrawal. Iraqi security forces have also reported that a suspected Islamic State cell was preparing suicide attacks around the time of the US departure.

Iraq has maintained close political and military ties with both the United States and Iran in recent years, at times becoming a battleground for tensions between the two countries.

The final US withdrawal comes as the wider Middle East remains affected by the ongoing US-Iran conflict, with Washington accusing Iran-backed Iraqi militias of involvement in attacks across the region.