Iraq Marks Sovereignty Day as US-Led Coalition Completes Long-Awaited Troop Withdrawal

Iraq has begun a four-day national holiday to commemorate the completion of the withdrawal of United States troops and international forces from the country, bringing an end to a military presence that spanned more than a decade of operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The celebrations, which unfolded across the country under the banner of Sovereignty Day, saw night-time festivities fill the streets as Iraqis observed the official start of the holiday period marking the departure of foreign combat forces.

The withdrawal closes a chapter that began when a US-led international coalition intervened in Iraq to confront the rapid territorial expansion of ISIL, which had seized large swaths of northern and western Iraq, including the city of Mosul, in 2014. The coalition campaign that followed combined air strikes with the training, advising and equipping of Iraqi security forces, and it eventually helped roll back the armed group's self-declared caliphate.

For more than ten years, international troops maintained a presence in the country, at different stages taking on combat roles, training missions and advisory functions as the security situation evolved. The completion of the pullout is being presented by Iraqi authorities as a milestone in restoring full national control over security affairs.

The timing of the announcement carries symbolic weight. Sovereignty Day is intended to signal that Iraq no longer depends on foreign combat troops to defend its territory, a message that resonates strongly with a public that has long debated the costs and benefits of the international military presence.

The question of how and when foreign forces would leave has been a persistent and politically sensitive issue in Baghdad for years. Successive Iraqi governments navigated pressure from domestic factions calling for an accelerated exit alongside concerns from military planners who warned that a premature drawdown could create security gaps.

Those debates intensified after the territorial defeat of ISIL, when the coalition's mission shifted toward training, intelligence sharing and counterterrorism support. Critics of the continued presence argued that it infringed on Iraqi sovereignty, while supporters contended that Iraqi forces still needed logistical and technical backing to prevent a resurgence of the armed group.

The completion of the withdrawal is therefore likely to be framed by Iraqi officials as a validation of the capacity of the country's own military and security apparatus. It also serves as a political victory for leaders who have promised to reduce foreign influence in Iraqi affairs.

Celebrations featured prominently in nighttime coverage, with Iraqis gathering to mark the beginning of the holiday and to watch official events associated with the occasion. The four-day break gives citizens an extended period to participate in public commemorations and family gatherings.

Beyond the symbolic dimension, the withdrawal raises practical questions about the future of counterterrorism cooperation. Even after combat troops depart, governments typically seek to preserve channels for intelligence sharing, air support and training, often through bilateral agreements rather than large-scale deployments.

Analysts have noted that the manner of a withdrawal can shape how armed groups perceive the resolve of local forces and their international partners. A well-managed transition, accompanied by continued capacity-building, is generally seen as reducing the risk that militants will exploit a security vacuum.

Iraq's security forces have spent years rebuilding after the costly campaign against ISIL, and they now face the challenge of sustaining readiness without the direct support structures that international troops provided. That includes maintaining surveillance capabilities, logistics chains and the ability to conduct precision operations.

The economic dimension also matters. A prolonged foreign military footprint often brings contracts, employment and infrastructure spending, and its reduction can affect local economies around bases. At the same time, a lighter foreign presence can ease political friction and reduce the risk of incidents that inflame public opinion.

Regional dynamics will inevitably shape the aftermath. Iraq sits at the intersection of competing interests, and its neighbors will be watching closely to assess how the new security arrangement affects the balance of power and the flow of influence across the region.

For Washington and its coalition partners, the completion of the withdrawal represents the end of a mission that evolved significantly over time, from a large-scale combat operation to a narrower advisory and training role. Officials have consistently emphasized that the relationship with Iraq extends beyond military deployments.

The political significance of Sovereignty Day also lies in how it is remembered. For some Iraqis, the holiday reflects a genuine assertion of independence; for others, it is a moment to reflect on the human and material costs of years of conflict and on the fragility that remains.

What comes next will depend on whether Iraqi institutions can consolidate gains in governance, rebuild public trust and manage the security file without the visible presence of foreign troops. The holiday marks a departure, but the durability of the outcome will be measured over the months and years ahead.