US Withdrawal from Iraq Raises Security Concerns for Kurdish Region

The United States is preparing to withdraw its forces from Iraq, a move that analysts say will leave the Kurdish region exposed to Iranian-backed militias. Since February 2026, those militias and Iran have launched more than 1,000 drone and missile strikes against Kurdistan. The withdrawal could reduce deterrence and allow the militias to increase pressure on Kurdish authorities. Kurdish leaders have warned that the absence of U. S. troops would create a security vacuum. The situation underscores the fragility of the region’s stability and the potential for renewed conflict.