US Forces Exit Iraqi Base, Army Takes Full Control

The Iraqi military has taken full control of the Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq after the complete withdrawal of US forces. This move aligns with an agreement between Washington and Baghdad to reduce the US-led coalition's presence by September 2025. All American equipment has also been removed following the withdrawal.

In 2024, a decision was made to decrease the US presence in Iraq, focusing on the diminishing need to combat the Islamic State group. While most US troops have left, a small contingent of 250 to 350 advisers and security personnel remained due to developments in Syria. Iraq confirmed the complete withdrawal, as the last US personnel have now departed the base.

Iraqi Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah directed the reorganisation and assignment of duties to military units at the base post-withdrawal. Authorities were instructed to enhance cooperation and exploit the base's strategic advantages. This handover follows a period of joint operations that reflects Iraq's growing defence capabilities.

An anonymous Ministry of Defence official confirmed all US forces and equipment have left, although the US military has not commented. US operations in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq and Syria remain unaffected by the withdrawal.

The absence of US forces might influence Iraq's discussions on disarming local militias. Many groups had cited the presence of US troops as a reason for retaining weapons. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stated earlier that the end of foreign military presence leaves no justification for groups to bear arms unlawfully, reported ABC News.

Key Takeaways:

• Iraqi army assumes full control of Ain al-Asad air base following US withdrawal.

• A small US advisory team had remained but has now fully departed.

• The withdrawal may impact discussions on militia disarmament in Iraq.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from ABC News 2026-01-19

 

 

Good move before war against Denmark.

Mission completed. LOL. Famous last words. The US has been engaging in so-called democracy building for 80 years now, and I don't know if there's a single success story that can be pointed toward, and used as an example of America exerting its will overseas.

Iraq and Afghanistan are two of the more recent examples of complete and total American failure overseas, and nobody knows how much money was spent in the past 25 years on those two wars in those nations but it is likely far beyond the trillion dollars that is claimed, and is likely five times that.

America has been losing one war after another since World War II, and though we may have the biggest military, I would have to seriously question it's effectiveness if engaged in serious battles and confrontations.

The degree to which the goon overestimates America's power and influence is mind-boggling, and an incredibly sad thing to witness.