US completes Iraq withdrawal, ceding influence to Iran-aligned factions

The United States has formally concluded its military mission and completed the withdrawal of all combat troops from Iraq, ending a 23-year presence that began with the 2003 invasion. This transition shifts security responsibility entirely to Iraqi forces, though a residual advisory presence may remain. The withdrawal is confirmed by multiple high-confidence sources, but the long-term implications for regional stability, counterterrorism capacity, and Iranian influence remain uncertain.