U.S. begins drawdown from Erbil base as Iraq withdrawal deadline nears
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The United States has begun reducing its military presence near Erbil International Airport in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, with most troops and heavy equipment already withdrawn as part of a broader plan to end its military mission in Iraq by late September, according to sources cited by Al-Monitor.
The report said the withdrawal started last week and includes the removal of Patriot air defense systems that had been deployed to protect U.S. forces from missiles and drones. Sources familiar with the process told Al-Monitor that all Patriot batteries stationed at the military compound near Erbil airport had been redeployed to an undisclosed location, while other defensive systems remain in place.
Regional officials described the move as routine and consistent with an agreement between Washington and Baghdad to withdraw all U.S. forces from Iraq by Sept. 30.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Capt. Tim Hawkins, declined to comment on troop movements, while officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government did not publicly address the report.
The drawdown comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States and repeated attacks by Iran and Iran-backed militias in Iraq, particularly in the Kurdistan Region. Erbil airport and nearby military facilities have faced multiple missile and drone attacks since the outbreak of the latest regional conflict in February.
According to Al-Monitor’s sources, U.S. air defense systems intercepted the vast majority of those attacks, providing security not only for American troops but also for the surrounding Kurdish region.
Analysts warn that the removal of Patriot systems could leave the Kurdistan Region more vulnerable, even as it reduces the exposure of U.S. assets that have become targets themselves.
Michael Knights, head of research at the New York-based consultancy Horizon Engage, told Al-Monitor that the withdrawal does not necessarily signal the end of U.S.-Iraqi military cooperation, noting that American special forces are expected to maintain a presence at undisclosed locations.
The report also raised questions about the availability of U.S. interceptor stockpiles. A recent study by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies found that U.S. Patriot missile reserves have declined further amid heightened regional tensions and continued military support for Ukraine.
The Foreign Policy Research Institute estimated that the United States produces about 600 Patriot interceptors annually, while demand for the systems has increased across the Middle East and Europe.