Iraqi troops completely take over Ain al-Asad air base after U.S. troops withdraw

Iraqi officials confirmed on Saturday that U.S. troops have completed the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq, marking the end of an agreed-upon U.S.-led coalition’s presence in the country.

Previously, Washington and Baghdad reached an agreement in 2024 to complete the US-led mission against the Islamic State group in Iraq by September 2025, which included the withdrawal of US troops from various bases.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said in October that while initial plans called for a full troop withdrawal from Ain al-Asad by September, “developments in Syria” had resulted in the temporary retention of a small force of 250 to 350 advisers and security personnel.

All US military personnel have now left.

Following the withdrawal, the Iraqi Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Rashid Ararat, oversaw the Iraqi Army taking over full control.

A military statement detailed Yalala’s assignment of tasks to the units, instructing “to intensify efforts to enhance joint work and coordination among the units stationed at the base while fully utilizing its capabilities and strategic location.”

An unnamed Defense Department official confirmed the withdrawal of all U.S. troops and equipment.

The U.S. military has not yet issued a statement on the troop withdrawal.

While U.S. troops maintain a presence in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region and neighboring Syria, the withdrawal from Ain al-Assad is likely to strengthen the Iraqi government’s efforts to disarm non-state armed groups. Some of these groups have historically cited the presence of U.S. troops as a reason to retain their weapons. Sudan’s prime minister previously said in an interview in July that “there will be no need or reason for any group to carry weapons outside the country” once the coalition withdrawal is complete.