Rome, September 29, 2026 — The Europe Today: Italy has completed the withdrawal of its armed forces from Iraq, bringing an end to a 12-year military deployment in the country, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Tuesday.
Crosetto said in a statement that the final Italian personnel stationed in Iraq had returned home after completing the recovery and transfer of logistical equipment. The withdrawal was completed ahead of the September 30 deadline agreed with Iraqi authorities.
“From tomorrow, therefore, our military presence in Iraq will end,” Crosetto said, describing the withdrawal as part of a new phase agreed upon with Iraq and partner countries.
Under the new arrangement, Iraqi security forces are expected to assume full responsibility for the country’s security, according to the defense minister.
Crosetto said the US-led coalition’s Operation Inherent Resolve and the NATO Mission Iraq would continue their activities from other locations. NATO’s mission will temporarily operate from the alliance’s Joint Force Command in Lago Patria, near Naples.
Thousands of Italian troops served in Iraq over the past 12 years, contributing to international efforts against Daesh and providing training to Iraqi armed and security forces, including forces in the Kurdistan region, Crosetto said.
He added that Italy would continue its cooperation with Iraq through military training, exchanges of expertise and initiatives aimed at strengthening Iraq’s defense capabilities.
The Italian Defense Ministry said the withdrawal had been largely completed by March.
Two Italian Carabinieri personnel will remain in Iraq as part of the separate European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq), which operates with authorization from the Iraqi government.
