As the last U.S. military personnel prepare to leave Iraq by the end of September, the country faces a pivotal moment. This marks the end of a decades-long U.S. military presence, which began in 2003 with the invasion that led to the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime. After a brief departure in 2011, U.S. forces returned in 2014 to help combat the Islamic State (ISIS), which had seized large parts of Iraq. Now, with ISIS reduced to scattered remnants, the U.S. and Iraqi governments have agreed to end the mission by September 30. However, the situation remains complex, as Iraqi militias—many backed by Iran—have shown no intention of disarming, raising concerns about the region’s security after the U.S. exit. The U.S. withdrawal has been ongoing, with the last troops expected to leave northern Iraq, where they had maintained a presence since 2014. This area, home to the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, has been a frequent target of attacks by Iran-backed militias and Iranian forces since the U.S. and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran in February. The U.S. military official, speaking anonymously, said that the remaining troops will be redeployed to neighboring countries, and military equipment, including air defense systems, will be removed. This move is expected to reduce U.S. exposure to attacks, though concerns remain about the ability of Iraqi militias to conduct operations in the region, including in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Despite the U.S. deadline, Iraqi militias have made it clear they will not disarm. Analysts say that by September 30, no major militias are expected to have surrendered their weapons. Groups like Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, which are closely aligned with Iran, have rejected the idea of disarming or have set conditions that the Iraqi government is unlikely to meet. These conditions include bringing the Kurdish peshmerga forces under central government control and expelling Iranian Kurdish dissidents. A militia official stated that discussions would focus on regulating weapons rather than surrendering them, emphasizing that no decision has been made to disarm. The Kurdish region, which has been a key location for U.S. military operations, is also anxious about the U.S. withdrawal. While the removal of U.S. forces may reduce one source of attack, it may not stop the threats from Iran and its allies. Kurdish officials have expressed concerns that the region could become an even more attractive target without the protection of U.S. air defenses. In response, the Iraqi government has reportedly been working to acquire new air defense systems from South Korea, Turkey, and the U.S., aiming to secure the region’s airspace and protect both the central and Kurdish governments from future threats.