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US Begins ‘Pre-Planned’ Withdrawal from Iraq’s Kurdistan Region
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

US Begins ‘Pre-Planned’ Withdrawal from Iraq’s Kurdistan Region

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • US forces are withdrawing troops and air defense systems from Iraq's Kurdistan Region as part of a pre-planned drawdown.
  • Reports of the withdrawal, including Patriot systems, caused confusion, but officials confirmed it's an arranged drawdown.
  • The withdrawal aligns with an agreement between Baghdad and Washington for the US-led coalition to complete its pullout by the end of September.

Reports of US troops and Patriot air defense systems withdrawing from Iraq's Kurdistan Region created confusion, but officials clarified it is a pre-planned drawdown. Kifah Mahmoud, a media adviser for the Kurdistan Democratic Party, stated that the withdrawal was not unexpected, as US forces had been preparing for months. He confirmed that while some Patriot launchers were moved, sufficient defenses remain to protect US interests.

The withdrawal is part of a larger agreement between Baghdad and Washington, which mandates the US-led coalition to complete its withdrawal from Iraq by the end of September. This process involves the gradual removal of military assets and equipment from the Kurdistan Region and other locations.

Reports of a US withdrawal from Kurdistan were not entirely accurate and reflected a considerable misunderstanding.

— Kifah MahmoudKifah Mahmoud, media adviser to the president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, clarified the nature of the US military movements.

Mahmoud described the reports of a full US withdrawal as inaccurate, stemming from a "considerable misunderstanding." He explained that US forces had relocated to Harir Air Base in recent months and are now preparing to move to bases in other countries. The operation encompasses personnel, equipment, and air defense systems. He also noted that the Kurdistan Region primarily hosts experts training Iraqi forces, rather than a conventional military base.

Harir base has been a frequent target of missile and drone attacks from Iran and allied Iraqi factions. In July alone, the Kurdistan Region reportedly suffered 88 such attacks, resulting in 10 deaths and 15 injuries. While US air defenses primarily protect American facilities, they have also intercepted numerous threats to the region. Kurdish sources anticipate continued attacks from Iran and its allies, even after the US departure, suggesting they will find new pretexts. Both the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi federal government lack effective missile and drone defense systems and early-warning radar.

Washington had not withdrawn all its Patriot systems, but had retained sufficient defenses to protect its interests in the region.

— Kifah MahmoudKifah Mahmoud explained the extent of the Patriot system withdrawal.
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Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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