Italy Concludes Military Presence in Iraq

Italy's Ministry of Defense announced Tuesday the completion of its final troop withdrawal from Iraq, ending a 12-year military presence. Rome had already pulled most personnel from Iraq by March 2026, after a night airstrike targeted a military base in the Kurdistan Region. Italian forces participated in the US-led "Operation Inherent Resolve" against ISIS and NATO's non-combat advisory mission in Iraq for capacity building. Italian and NATO forces had agreed with local authorities to leave the region by September 30. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated the withdrawal signals Iraq's increased responsibility for its own security. The ministry clarified two Italian Carabinieri officers would stay in Iraq under the EU Advisory Mission, with Iraqi government approval.