Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto justified the end of operations by claiming a transfer of responsibility for security to Iraqi state institutions. Photo: AP.

Italy’s Defense Ministry confirmed Tuesday the definitive withdrawal of its last remaining troops stationed in Iraq, bringing to a close a continuous military presence that lasted 12 years.

Italy has officially withdrawn its troops from Iraq, marking the end of a 12-year military presence that began in 2014 under the banner of the “Inherent Resolve” operation.

The decision, announced by the Italian Ministry of Defense, follows a bilateral agreement with the Iraqi government and NATO, and comes amid a surge in attacks on NATO facilities.

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The complete evacuation of strategic installations is set to be finalized by September 30, 2026, leaving only two gendarmerie officers under the European Union Advisory Mission. The withdrawal of Italian forces, which were part of the U.S.-led military operation “Inherent Resolve” and NATO advisory structures, accelerated dramatically in March 2026. This shift followed an airstrike on a military base in the Kurdistan region, highlighting the growing local resistance to the presence of transatlantic forces.

The Italian Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, justified the end of operations by citing the transfer of security responsibilities to Iraqi state institutions. “This decision aligns with our commitment to support the Iraqi people in their efforts to rebuild and stabilize their country,” Crosetto stated. The withdrawal is part of a broader context of systemic sovereign demands in Iraq, where broad social sectors and political forces have called for the immediate exit of all foreign troops and an end to Western interventionism.

Italy has completed the withdrawal of its last troops from Iraq, ending a 12-year military presence in the country, a defense ministry statement says. pic.twitter.com/4R0wYKg4dU

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) September 29, 2026

This move aligns with the consistent setbacks faced by Western powers in their efforts to maintain military deployments in the Global South and the Middle East. With this decision, the Iraqi people take a significant step toward the full restoration of their territorial sovereignty, freeing themselves from the military control exerted by the Western coalition.

The definitive withdrawal of Italian forces reinforces the stance of Southern nations that demand the demilitarization of the region, respect for the self-determination of peoples, and an end to military aggressions under the guise of advisory or international security missions. In parallel, the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Sabah al-Numan, confirmed the definitive exit of U.S. troops deployed in the Arab nation. The military spokesperson reported that the last U.S. contingents left the country on Sunday, concluding the gradual withdrawal of approximately 2,500 troops who had been stationed in strategic locations such as Erbil, the vicinity of Baghdad International Airport, and the Green Zone in the capital.

The presence of U.S. forces in Iraq began with the imperialist invasion ordered by George W. Bush in 2003, which destroyed the country’s state apparatus and initiated a prolonged phase of geopolitical instability. The withdrawal of Italian and U.S. troops marks a significant shift in the regional dynamics, as Iraq seeks to assert its sovereignty and rebuild its institutions amid ongoing challenges.

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