--- title: "US troops to complete Iraq withdrawal by September 30" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-troops-to-complete-iraq-withdrawal-by-september-30" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/us-troops-to-complete-iraq-withdrawal-by-september-30" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-troops-to-complete-iraq-withdrawal-by-september-30.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/us-troops-to-complete-iraq-withdrawal-by-september-30" category: "Conflict & Security" area: "Middle East" published: "2026-09-15T16:05:13.548Z" source_reported: "2026-09-15T13:30:02.000Z" updated: "2026-09-15T16:05:13.548Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 61 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-15T14:40:13.397Z" --- # US troops to complete Iraq withdrawal by September 30 *Iranian-backed militias indicate no plans to disarm, complicating Iraqi government's post-withdrawal security plans.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. One source named on the record, one document cited, and two independent outlets. - Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Reporting includes quotes from affected parties and names specific figures, dates, and places. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. The headline promises more than the body delivers, with mild sensationalism. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - The U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq is scheduled for completion by September 30. - Hundreds of U.S. troops currently in northern Iraq will be out by the deadline. - The Iraqi government has tied the U.S. departure to a demand for militias to disarm. - Most Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have stated they do not intend to surrender their weapons. The United States military presence in Iraq is scheduled to conclude by September 30, with all remaining troops, numbering in the hundreds and stationed in northern Iraq, expected to depart by that date. This withdrawal marks the end of a decades-long U.S. military engagement in the country, which began with the 2003 invasion and was followed by a mission to combat the Islamic State group starting in 2014. The Iraqi government has linked the U.S. troop withdrawal to an ultimatum requiring non-state armed groups, particularly Iranian-backed militias, to disarm. However, most of these militias have indicated they have no intention of laying down their weapons. These groups have been responsible for striking U.S.-linked targets both inside and outside Iraq since February 28. ## Disagreement on militia disarmament timeline The Hindu reports that Iraqi government officials have been inconsistent regarding whether September 30 is a firm deadline for militia disarmament or merely a starting point for negotiations. The report quotes Iraqi analyst Sajad Jiyad stating that disarmament by September 30 is unlikely. It also notes that while some less influential militias have agreed to surrender weapons, powerful groups like Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have rejected the prospect or set conditions for disarming that are unlikely to be met. An official from one of these militias told The Hindu that discussions would focus on regulating weapons, not surrendering them, and that there was no decision among factions to surrender weapons. ## What the coverage left out None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention the U.S. military's plan to redeploy troops to Jordan and other countries in the region, nor the removal of military equipment including air defence systems, as detailed in The Hindu's full report. The full reports from The Hindu and Washington Top News also mention that the U.S. military has sometimes struck militia sites in Iraq in retaliation for attacks and that Washington has slapped sanctions on some groups, with the possibility of more sanctions. ## Who covered it Shares of the 23 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 56% (13) - Centre: 22% (5) - Right: 22% (5) 2 of 25 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-15T14:40:13.397Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 4 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-15T17:15:20.832Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led on the impending U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq by the September 30 deadline, noting that hundreds of troops remaining in northern Iraq would also depart. These reports highlighted the Iraqi government's linkage of the withdrawal to an ultimatum for militias to disarm, while also stressing that most Iranian-backed militias have indicated they will not comply. The Hindu, in its full report, detailed the conditions set by powerful militias for disarming, such as bringing Kurdish security forces under central government control and expelling certain groups from the region. It also included a statement from a militia official confirming no decision to surrender weapons. The Hindu also noted that U.S. officials are concerned about the militias' ability to continue attacks, but not enough to delay the withdrawal. The reports mentioned that these militias have struck U.S.-linked targets since February 28 and coordinated with Houthi rebels to attack Saudi Arabia. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the dual deadlines facing Iraq at the end of September: the conclusion of the U.S. military presence and the disarmament of non-state armed groups. These reports stated that the U.S. withdrawal is underway, with remaining troops in northern Iraq set to leave by the September 30 deadline. They also noted the Iraqi government's ultimatum for militias to lay down their weapons, and the indication from most groups that they have no plans to do so. Washington Top News and WWAY TV, citing AP, reported that U.S. officials are concerned about the militias' capacity for continued attacks, though not enough to halt the withdrawal. Rutland Herald and My Mother Lode digests also covered the U.S. withdrawal and the militia disarmament issue. ### Right - Right-rated reports highlighted that Iranian-backed Iraqi militias will not be disarmed before the U.S. withdrawal, with one report quoting an expert's warning. India Today's digest stated that Iraq is nearing the U.S. troop exit amid stalled militia talks, leaving Baghdad and Kurdistan facing fresh security risks. Arab News's digest framed the situation around why Iraq's militias will keep their weapons, noting that the Iraqi state is supposed to hold a monopoly on weapons by 'sovereignty day' on September 30, but this achievement is unlikely. Yeshiva World News and plaindealerin.com digests also covered the impending U.S. withdrawal and the militias' refusal to disarm. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 4 - high: 14 - unknown: 3 - veryHigh: 4 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [WWAY TV](https://wwaytv3.com/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/middle-east/11141381/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay.html) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [Arab News](https://arabnews.com/opinion/why-iraqs-militias-will-keep-their-weapons-3001747) — Why Iraq’s militias will keep their weapons - [The Sunday Guardian Live](https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/us-israel-iran-war-latest-news-us-military-pullout-from-iraq-underway-remaining-troops-set-to-leave-by-sept-30-latest-update-285224) — US Israel Iran War Latest News: US Military Pullout From Iraq Underway, Remaining Troops Set to Leave by Sept. 30; Latest Update - [Boston Globe](https://bostonglobe.com/2026/09/15/nation/last-us-troops-pack-up-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - The Boston Globe - [Yeshiva World News](https://theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/2598364/iran-backed-iraqi-militias-wont-be-disarmed-before-u-s-withdrawal-expert-warns.html) — “Iran-Backed Iraqi Militias Won’t Be Disarmed Before U.S. Withdrawal,” Expert Warns - [The Hindu](https://thehindu.com/news/international/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay/article71467056.ece) — As the last U.S. troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/world/story/iraq-us-troop-withdrawal-iran-backed-militias-reject-disarmament-september-30-ptag-2994850-2026-09-15) — Iraq nears US troop exit as Iran-backed militias refuse disarmament - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/world/2026/09/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay – WTOP News - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/middle-east/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay/article_b5d96e2a-ccb6-5d29-890c-068777715b3d.html) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/iraq-tehran-baghdad-washington-kurdish-b3050239.html) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/iraq-tehran-baghdad-washington-kurdish-b3050239.html) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [Oskaloosa Herald](https://oskaloosa.com/news/national_news/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay/article_e72f8c87-9ead-52b7-8fc7-667bd9bf8f13.html) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [Rutland Herald](https://rutlandherald.com/news/world/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay/article_09a39564-72a4-5896-b20a-2c119fcaa84b.html) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [The Daily Item](https://dailyitem.com/wire/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay/article_1ed78340-25e7-52b9-afb1-a7741fe2bf8c.html) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [Herald Bulletin](https://heraldbulletin.com/news/nation_world/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay/article_7dc84a55-fb80-59e2-90e7-0777d8ade1d0.html) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [goSkagit](https://goskagit.com/news/world/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay/article_f6986c20-6df6-575f-881c-1a7cf4923828.html) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [plaindealerin.com](https://plaindealerin.com/news/wire/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay/article_e2a2f9f0-cdf6-5354-b20f-283a6a0de4ef.html) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [abc News](https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/us-troops-pack-iraq-militias-signal-weapons-stay-136452987) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [MY Northwest](https://mynorthwest.com/world/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay/4276098) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/world/middle-east/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay/article_a36bba5d-634d-50ab-88e1-ddf95b5730a4.html) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/middle-east/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay/article_9f912a92-cb5b-5cba-ab8f-6aaebbd7941c.html) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/09/15/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [Durango Herald](https://durangoherald.com/articles/associated-press/as-the-last-us-troops-pack-up-in-iraq-militias-signal-their-weapons-will-stay) — As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay - [hathalyoum.net](https://hathalyoum.net/articles/4230754) — Chargé D ' Affaires of the Embassy of America in Baghdad: We Support the Construction of Iraq Free of Militias and Abandoned Weapons ## Questions **When will the U.S. military complete its withdrawal from Iraq?** The U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq is scheduled to be completed by September 30. This includes the departure of hundreds of U.S. troops who are currently stationed in northern Iraq. **What is the Iraqi government's stance on militia disarmament?** The Iraqi government has linked the U.S. troop withdrawal to an ultimatum for non-state armed groups, particularly Iranian-backed militias, to lay down their weapons. However, most of these militias have indicated they do not plan to disarm. **Have Iranian-backed Iraqi militias attacked U.S.-linked targets?** Yes, Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have struck U.S.-linked targets both inside and outside of Iraq. These attacks have been ongoing since February 28. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-troops-to-complete-iraq-withdrawal-by-september-30. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "US troops to complete Iraq withdrawal by September 30", https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-troops-to-complete-iraq-withdrawal-by-september-30