The Pentagon’s announcement on September 30, 2025, marked a pivotal shift in the United States’ military engagement in Iraq, signaling a reduction of forces and a significant handover of security responsibilities to Baghdad. This move, which comes after years of joint operations against Islamic State (ISIS) remnants, is being heralded as both a strategic recalibration and a testament to the progress made in stabilizing Iraq since the height of the ISIS threat.
According to Reuters, the Pentagon recommitted itself to scaling back its military mission in Iraq, a process that will see Iraqi authorities take the lead in combating the remaining pockets of ISIS fighters within their borders. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, clarified that while the U.S. and its coalition allies will continue to confront ISIS remnants, the focus will increasingly shift to operations in neighboring Syria. Most U.S. personnel dedicated to these efforts will be redeployed to Iraq’s Kurdistan region, with Erbil becoming the primary hub for ongoing coalition activities.
At the start of 2025, the U.S. maintained approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and over 900 in Syria, as part of the coalition established in 2014 to counter the rapid territorial gains made by ISIS. However, once the current transition is completed, the number of American forces in Iraq will drop to fewer than 2,000, with the majority stationed in Erbil. The remaining troops in Baghdad will pivot away from counter-ISIS operations, instead focusing on traditional bilateral security cooperation with their Iraqi counterparts.
Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell, as reported by various outlets, stated, "In accordance with the President's guidance and in alignment with the US-Iraq Higher Military Commission and the joint statement issued on September 27, 2024, the United States and Coalition partners will reduce its military mission in Iraq." He emphasized that this reduction reflects a "combined success" in the fight against ISIS and is part of a broader effort to transition toward a long-term U.S.-Iraq security partnership.
Parnell further highlighted the strategic goals of this evolving relationship: "This partnership will support US and Iraqi security and strengthen Iraq’s ability to pursue economic development, attract foreign investment, and play a leading role in the region." The transition, he noted, will be carried out in close coordination with both Baghdad and coalition partners to ensure it is responsible and orderly.
The agreement is seen as a significant boost for the government in Baghdad, which has long expressed concerns that the presence of U.S. troops, while instrumental in combating ISIS, also made Iraq a target for attacks by Iran-aligned groups. The reduction of the American footprint, particularly in the capital, is expected to ease some of these tensions and allow Iraq greater autonomy in managing its internal security challenges.
One notable element of the transition is the ongoing handover of the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Anbar province. The U.S. had agreed in 2024 to depart the base and transfer control to Iraqi authorities—a process that, as of September 30, 2025, is still underway. Details on the final timeline for this transition remain sparse, with U.S. officials declining to provide further specifics.
While the drawdown in Iraq is moving forward, the situation in Syria remains more complex. The Trump administration had previously outlined plans for a reduction of forces there, but according to the latest statements, the U.S. presence in Syria is currently in a "status quo" state. The Pentagon remains deeply concerned about the persistence of ISIS fighters in Syria and the risk that thousands of militants held in local prisons could be freed amid ongoing instability.
Political dynamics in Syria have further complicated the regional security landscape. In a development that drew international attention, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh in May 2025. Al-Sharaa, a former al Qaeda leader, led rebel forces that overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s government the previous year. Middle Eastern leaders and their Western allies have repeatedly warned that ISIS could exploit the ongoing political uncertainty in Syria to regroup and launch new attacks.
Despite these regional challenges, the Pentagon’s announcement is being interpreted as a milestone in the long and often fraught U.S.-Iraq relationship. The coalition’s efforts since 2014 have significantly degraded ISIS’s capabilities, transforming the nature of the threat it poses. As a senior defense official told Reuters, "ISIS is no longer posing a sustained threat to the government of Iraq or to the U.S. homeland from Iraqi territory. This is a major achievement that enables us to transition more responsibly to Iraq leading efforts for security in their own country."
The planned reduction of U.S. forces is also part of a broader agreement between Washington and Baghdad. As reported by multiple sources, the two governments have reached a deal for the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq by the end of 2026. This phased approach is designed to ensure that Iraqi security forces are fully prepared to take on the mantle of national defense, while maintaining avenues for continued cooperation on security, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism.
For Iraq, the new partnership is expected to yield dividends beyond the military sphere. By taking the lead in its own security, Baghdad aims to create a more stable environment that can attract foreign investment and foster economic growth. The hope among both U.S. and Iraqi officials is that these gains will help Iraq assert a stronger role in regional affairs, contributing to greater stability across the Middle East.
Yet, the transition is not without its risks. The persistent threat posed by ISIS, particularly in the volatile border regions and in Syria, means that vigilance remains essential. U.S. officials have stressed that the reduction in troop numbers does not signal an end to American engagement in Iraq or the region. Instead, it marks a shift toward a more sustainable, partnership-based approach, with the U.S. providing support as needed while respecting Iraq’s sovereignty and leadership.
The coming months will be critical as both countries navigate the complexities of the drawdown and work to solidify the gains achieved over the past decade. For now, the Pentagon’s decision stands as a testament to the progress made against ISIS and a cautious step toward a new chapter in U.S.-Iraq relations.
As the U.S. prepares to reduce its presence, all eyes will be on Baghdad and Erbil, where the future of Iraq’s security—and the broader fight against extremism in the region—will be written.