# US withdrawal from Iraq's Kurdistan

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-withdrawal-from-iraqs-kurdistan
> Updated: 2026-08-29T06:22:22.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

In late July 2026, the United States began the final phase of its drawdown from Iraq’s Kurdish region. The last Patriot air‑defence batteries were removed and plans were set to pull roughly 2,000 troops from Harir Air Base by the September 30 deadline established in a September 2024 bilateral agreement and reaffirmed in a July 14 meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi and President Donald Trump. The withdrawal follows earlier exits from federal Iraqi territory, including the vacating of al‑Asad base.

By early August 2026, the pullout had moved to the Erbil International Airport complex, with U.S. forces dismantling remaining Patriot systems and beginning the physical removal of personnel. Concurrently, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zubaidi chaired meetings to review the final government programme, while political blocs moved to accelerate the formation of a new ministerial cabinet.

By late August, the U.S. Department of Defense announced it would let a security assistance agreement with the Kurdistan region expire on September 30. This decision will end millions of dollars in funding for the Peshmerga, which received approximately $61 million in the 2026 fiscal year for weapons, training, and stipends. The expiration of this memorandum of understanding coincides with the planned closure of the last remaining U.S. military base in Erbil and marks the formal end of the international military campaign against the Islamic State. Kurdish leaders have warned that the cessation of assistance and the troop withdrawal could create a security vacuum and increase Iranian influence in northern Iraq.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-29: US to end military aid to Iraq’s Kurdistan region

The US will end military assistance to Iraq’s Kurdistan region by September 30, coinciding with the withdrawal of remaining US troops and the end of the international campaign against the Islamic State.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-to-end-military-aid-to-iraqs-kurdistan-region

### 2026-08-02: U.S. Forces Begin Withdrawal from Erbil Military Compound in Iraq

U.S. troops start withdrawing from Erbil base ahead of a Sep 30 deadline; Iraq’s PM Ali al‑Zubaidi reviews the government programme and blocs agree to fast‑track cabinet formation.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-forces-begin-withdrawal-from-erbil-military-compound-in-iraq

### 2026-07-31: US completes pullout of troops and Patriot systems from Iraq's Kurdistan region

The U.S. is completing its withdrawal from Iraq’s Kurdistan region, removing Patriot batteries and about 2,000 troops by 30 Sept 2026, amid security concerns and potential market impacts.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-completes-pullout-of-troops-and-patriot-systems-from-iraqs-kurdistan-region

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Cite as: US withdrawal from Iraq's Kurdistan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-withdrawal-from-iraqs-kurdistan