Baghdad | January 18, 2026
Iraq has fully regained control of the Ayn al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq following the complete withdrawal of US forces, officials confirmed on Saturday. The move comes under a bilateral agreement negotiated between Baghdad and Washington in 2024, which mandated a gradual drawdown of US-led coalition troops by September 2025.
The base, located in Anbar province, was one of the most strategically significant sites used by US-led coalition forces in the fight against the Islamic State (IS).
US Forces Fully Exit the Base
According to Iraqi security officials, all American troops and staff have exited the base and removed their equipment. An Iraqi Defense Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly, confirmed that the handover is now complete.
The US military has not yet issued an official statement. Although troops have withdrawn from the Ayn al-Asad facility, American forces continue to maintain a presence in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region and in neighboring Syria.
Iraqi Army Assumes Command
After the departure of US personnel, Iraq’s Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah formally reassigned responsibilities to all military units stationed at the base.
Yarallah instructed officers to:
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Intensify operational efforts
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Strengthen coordination among units
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Improve joint readiness and efficiency
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Fully utilize the base’s strategic advantages
He emphasized that the base’s capabilities and location offer significant value for future Iraqi military operations.
Impact on Internal Security Dynamics
Security experts believe the withdrawal could shift internal power dynamics within Iraq. Some non-state armed groups had long justified retaining their weapons by citing the presence of US troops.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, in a July interview with the Associated Press, stated that once US forces leave, no group would have a legitimate reason to hold weapons outside the control of the state.
Analysts say the complete transfer of Ayn al-Asad to the Iraqi military may strengthen the government’s position as it seeks to consolidate authority and curb the influence of armed factions.
