• The U.S. military has officially completed its withdrawal from Iraq after two decades.
• The exit symbolizes Iraq's growing sovereignty but raises concerns about security vulnerabilities.
• Kurdish leaders worry about increased attacks from Iranian militias without U.S. support.
• Iraq's Prime Minister plans to disarm militias by June 2027 but faces challenges in doing so.
• The withdrawal marks a strategic shift in U.S.-Iraq relations from military to economic cooperation.

The last U.S. troops have departed from Iraq, concluding a military presence that began with the invasion in 2003. This withdrawal marks the completion of a campaign that has evolved significantly over two decades, moving from direct combat operations to a focus on counter-terrorism and training local forces to handle security independently, according to Los Angeles Times and India Times.

The withdrawal, which has been officially marked by a series of national holidays known as "Sovereignty Days," underscores Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's vision for enhancing Iraq's autonomy. His government aims to transform the security dynamics within the country, promoting a shift to a more self-reliant security posture while assuring international partners of ongoing support, according to Al Jazeera and NPR.

Despite the celebration surrounding the withdrawal, there are escalating concerns regarding the potential resurgence of ISIS sleeper cells and heightened activity from Iranian-backed militias, particularly in the Kurdish region. Kurdish leaders have expressed alarm over the lack of U.S. air defense systems, since these have historically intercepted threats from Iranian forces, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

The U.S. withdrawal has also been hailed as a significant victory by powerful Iran-aligned groups within Iraq, who view it as a step towards full sovereignty. However, the Iraqi central government is under pressure to disarm these militias, with an initial deadline set for September 30, 2026. This timeline has been extended to June 2027 due to the challenges of overcoming political and military resistance from these groups, according to Los Angeles Times and India Times.

The operational implications remain high-stakes, as the Iraqi military now bears the primary responsibility for internal security and counter-terrorism efforts, especially in combating ISIS, which, while greatly diminished, still maintains a presence through sleeper cells. Iraqi officials have suggested that foreign assistance may focus on training and intelligence, shifting the partnership to a new format in line with Iraq's advances toward independence, according to NPR and Al Jazeera.

As Iraq adjusts to this new security landscape, there are significant implications for its long-term stability, particularly regarding the balance of power among armed groups and the potential for Iranian influence to grow in the absence of U.S. military support. The government is negotiating future security cooperation with the United States, emphasizing a lasting diplomatic and economic relationship beyond military ties, according to Los Angeles Times and India Times.