# Iraqi Kurds see opportunities and risks in US troop withdrawal

> US troops leave Iraqi Kurdistan, creating security shifts and new opportunities for Kurdish autonomy.
- Title: Iraqi Kurds see opportunities and risks in US troop withdrawal
- Summary: US troops leave Iraqi Kurdistan, creating security shifts and new opportunities for Kurdish autonomy. Iraqi Kurds face both security risks and opportunities…
- Keywords: iraqi kurds, us troop withdrawal, kurdish peshmerga, iraq, iran, security threats, kurdistan region, sovereignty, science, ideas, Iraqi, Kurds
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/iraqi-kurds-sees-opportunities-and-risks-in-the-withdrawal-of-us-troops-293624
- Author: Firmesk Rahim
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: iraqi kurds, us troop withdrawal, kurdish peshmerga, iraq, iran, security threats, kurdistan region, sovereignty, science, ideas
## US troops leave Iraqi Kurdistan
US forces departed Erbil Air Base in Iraqi Kurdistan on Sept 30, 2026, marking a shift in regional security.
## Security calculus changes
The US presence provided military protection against Iranian drone and missile attacks but also deepened regional tensions.
## Kurdish security challenges
Iran-aligned militia groups have attacked Kurdish oil fields and refineries since 2017, following failed independence referendum.
## Peshmerga unification
Kurdish Peshmerga forces unified under one government command structure days before US withdrawal.
## Air defense gap
Kurdistan lacks air defense capabilities, making it dependent on Baghdad for protection against aerial threats.
## Sovereignty test
Kurdistan's sovereignty depends on Baghdad's ability to control armed groups and secure airspace from Iranian threats.
## US-Kurdish relationship shift
US completed a new consulate in Irbil in 2025, creating economic ties beyond military support.
## Security outcomes
If attacks decline after US withdrawal, Kurdish sovereignty improves; if not, security risks persist.
## Regional implications
The withdrawal tests Baghdad's control over armed groups and the region's security without US military presence.
## Key takeaway

Iraqi Kurds face both security risks and opportunities after US military withdrawal, with regional stability depending on Baghdad's ability to manage threats.