US military withdrawal from Iraq set for September 30 deadline

The U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq is underway, with a U.S. official confirming that remaining troops in northern Iraq will exit by the September 30 deadline.

While the Iraqi government linked the American departure to an ultimatum for non-state militias to disarm, major Iran-backed groups have indicated they have no plans to surrender their weapons.

Hundreds of remaining U.S. troops will mostly be redeployed to Jordan and other regional countries, while equipment including air defense systems will be removed.