Iraq Takes Full Control of Key Base After U.S. Withdrawal

After years of partnership, Iraqi forces now command one of their nation's most strategic military installations entirely on their own.

The Iraqi Army has taken full control of the Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq following the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces. The handover marks the successful implementation of a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad to wind down the coalition presence that had been fighting Islamic State forces in the country.

Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah oversaw the transition on Saturday, assigning duties to military units across the base. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had originally announced the September 2025 withdrawal timeline, though developments in neighboring Syria temporarily delayed the final departure of 250 to 350 U.S. advisers and security personnel.

The peaceful transfer represents more than just a military milestone. It demonstrates Iraq's growing capacity to manage its own security infrastructure and strategic assets.

The Ripple Effect

The withdrawal could reshape Iraq's internal security landscape in meaningful ways. With U.S. forces no longer present, the government gains stronger footing in negotiations with armed groups that have long justified their weapons as necessary counters to foreign troops.

Prime Minister al-Sudani made this connection clear in a July interview, saying that once the coalition withdrawal completes, "there will be no need or no justification for any group to carry weapons outside the scope of the state." That shift could accelerate Iraq's path toward full sovereignty under a unified national military.

The Iraqi military leadership has emphasized making full use of the base's capabilities and strategic location. Yarallah instructed authorities to intensify coordination between units stationed there, signaling the government's commitment to maintaining the installation's operational readiness.

U.S. forces continue operating in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region in the north and in neighboring Syria. However, the Ain al-Asad handover represents a significant step in Iraq's journey toward independent security management.

The transition happened smoothly, with all American personnel and equipment departing according to plan. Iraq now writes the next chapter of its military story with full control of this critical installation.