US soldiers in Baghdad.Image: EPA
December 31, 2025, 5:02 p.mDecember 31, 2025, 5:03 p.m
According to Iraqi sources, the US military is continuing to reduce the number of troops stationed in Iraq and will be leaving the important Ain al-Assad base there. There will be a “complete withdrawal” at the base next week and the USA will hand over control there to the Iraqi security forces, said Kais al-Muhammadaui, deputy commander of the country’s joint operations command. There was initially no information from Washington.
The USA leads an international coalition to fight the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and neighboring Syria. The operation began after IS overran large areas in both countries in 2014. IS is considered to have been defeated militarily, but IS fighters are still active in both countries and are also carrying out attacks.
“Together success” in the fight against IS
The US military announced in October that it would reduce its presence in Iraq. The Pentagon said at the time that the reduction in troops reflected the “joint success” in the fight against IS.
Ain al-Assad is located in the west of the country and was one of the most important US bases in the fight against IS. The base has also been the target of attacks several times by Iran-backed militias in Iraq, who are demanding the complete withdrawal of US troops. In Iraq, US soldiers are still stationed near Baghdad airport and at the Erbil air base, which continues to be used for operations in Iraq and Syria. There is also a US base in Syria on the border with Iraq and Jordan. (sda/dpa)