U.S.-Led Coalition to Withdraw Air-Defense Systems from Iraq by September 30

The U.S.-led anti-ISIS international coalition is set to conclude its combat and advisory mission in Iraq by September 30, 2026, withdrawing all personnel and equipment, including critical air-defense systems like Patriot and C-Ram capabilities. This withdrawal, agreed upon between Baghdad and Washington in 2024, raises concerns about a potential wider regional security gap, particularly for neighboring countries vulnerable to missile and drone attacks.