Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Italian Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday that it ended its 12-year military engagement in Iraq after completing the withdrawal of its forces from the country.

By March 2026, Rome had already withdrawn the majority of its forces from Iraq following a midnight air attack on a military post in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, according to Reuters.

Italian soldiers participated in US-led Operation Inherent Resolve against the terrorist group ISIS, as well as NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), which provided non-combat advice and capacity-building support.

According to the statement, Italian and NATO soldiers reached an agreement with local officials to withdraw from the country by September 30.

According to Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, the withdrawal signifies a transition toward Iraq taking full responsibility for its security.

The European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq, with consent from the Iraqi government, will keep two Italian officers in the country, according to the ministry.

The ministry’s announcement comes after an Iraqi government official said on Sunday that the withdrawal of the US troops from Iraq has been completed.

The official stated that both combat and logistical support personnel have departed the country, although there has been no formal confirmation from the US side.

In 2024, Iraq and the United States agreed on a timeline to end the US military presence in the country. According to the US Department of Defense, approximately 2,500 US troops had been stationed in Iraq in the past few years.

Prior to the withdrawal, US forces were deployed across Erbil in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, a base near Baghdad International Airport, and locations within the Green Zone in the capital, Baghdad.

While the defeat of ISIS in Iraq was announced in 2017, its cells remain in remote areas.

The pullout comes as Iraq suffers security consequences from the Iran conflict, including recent assaults on US sites and foreign soldiers.