Italy completes troop withdrawal from Iraq after 12 years

Italy has completed the withdrawal of its last military forces from Iraq on September 29, 2026, ending a 12-year presence. The withdrawal, which follows the recall of most personnel in March 2026 after an air strike in Kurdistan, marks a transition to local security control, according to Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. While Italy's contributions to NATO Mission Iraq and Operation Inherent Resolve have concluded, two Carabinieri officers will remain under the EUAM Iraq mission.

Timeline of the final withdrawal

• ▪Italy completed the withdrawal of its last troops from Iraq on September 29, 2026, ending a 12-year military presence in the country
• ▪Italy recalled most of its military personnel from Iraq by March 2026 following an overnight air strike that targeted a military base in the Kurdistan region
• ▪The Italian defense ministry stated that Italian and NATO forces had agreed with local Iraqi authorities to leave the Kurdistan region by September 30, 2026

Italian military roles in Iraq

• ▪Italian forces participated in NATO Mission Iraq, which operated as a non-combat advisory and capacity-building mission
• ▪Italian forces participated in the U.S.-led Operation Inherent Resolve against the Islamic State militant group in Iraq

Debatable claims

• ▪Italy's military withdrawal from Iraq was premature
• ▪Iraq is ready to assume full responsibility for its own security
• ▪The March 2026 airstrike justified Italy's decision to accelerate its troop withdrawal
• ▪Italy's 12-year military mission in Iraq was a success