U.S. to Scale Back Iraq Mission, Shift Focus to Syria and Kurdistan Region

The Pentagon announced its commitment to reduce the U.S. military footprint in Iraq, signaling a major transition in Washington’s counterterrorism strategy. A U.S. defense official confirmed that Iraq’s government will increasingly lead efforts against Islamic State (ISIS) remnants within its borders, while American and coalition forces pivot to missions in neighboring Syria and Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

At the start of 2025, the U.S. maintained about 2,500 troops in Iraq and more than 900 in Syria, deployed under the coalition established in 2014 to combat ISIS. Under the new plan, troop levels in Iraq will drop to fewer than 2,000, with the majority stationed in Erbil, the Kurdish capital. Remaining forces in Baghdad will primarily engage in bilateral security cooperation rather than counter-ISIS operations.

Senior defense officials emphasized that ISIS no longer poses a significant threat from Iraqi territory, enabling this shift of responsibilities. They hailed the move as a “major achievement” and a step toward Iraq’s sovereignty in handling internal security challenges. The plan also alleviates concerns in Baghdad, where leaders have long feared that U.S. troops could be a magnet for attacks by Iran-aligned militias.

The U.S. previously agreed to transfer control of the Ain al-Asad airbase in Anbar province to Iraqi forces, though officials noted that process is still ongoing. Meanwhile, Washington remains cautious about Syria, where thousands of ISIS fighters remain in detention and the risk of a resurgence persists.

Complicating matters, Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa—once a senior al Qaeda figure—rose to power after leading rebel forces that toppled Bashar al-Assad’s government in 2024. His rule has added uncertainty to regional stability. U.S. officials, alongside Middle Eastern and Western allies, continue to warn that ISIS could exploit Syria’s volatile political climate to stage a comeback.

This recalibration highlights Washington’s intent to maintain counterterrorism vigilance while supporting Iraq’s sovereignty and focusing resources where the threat is greatest.