Italy Completes Withdrawal of Last Troops From Iraq, Ending 12-Year Presence

Italy has completed the withdrawal of its last troops from Iraq, ending a 12-year military presence in the country, according to a statement from the Italian defence ministry.

Rome said on Tuesday that the final personnel — who had remained in Iraq to recover and transfer logistical equipment — had returned home. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the withdrawal, finished ahead of a 30 September deadline agreed with Iraqi authorities, marked a transition towards greater Iraqi responsibility for the country’s security.

Most Italian personnel had already been recalled by March 2026 after an overnight airstrike targeted a military base in the Kurdistan region, Reuters reported. Italian forces served in the US-led Operation Inherent Resolve against Islamic State and in NATO Mission Iraq, a non-combat advisory and training mission.

Thousands of Italian troops served in Iraq over the 12 years, contributing to the fight against Daesh and training Iraqi and Kurdish forces, according to an Anadolu Agency report. Crosetto said Italy would continue working with Iraq through training, exchanges of expertise and efforts to develop Iraqi military capabilities.

Two Italian Carabinieri officers will remain in Iraq under the European Union’s EUAM Iraq advisory mission, which operates with the Iraqi government’s approval.

Italy’s move comes as US forces also complete their withdrawal from Iraq by Wednesday, ending a presence of more than two decades.

Sources

• Reuters: “Italy completes troop withdrawal from Iraq“
• The Frontier Post (Anadolu Agency): “Italy completes withdrawal of armed forces from Iraq after 12 years“
• TBS News: “Italy completes troop withdrawal from Iraq“