Italy on Tuesday completed the withdrawal of its last troops from Iraq, ending a 12‑year military presence in the country, according to a defense ministry statement. Rome had already recalled most of its personnel by March 2026 after an overnight air strike hit a base in the Kurdistan region. Italian forces had participated in the US‑led Operation Inherent Resolve against Daesh and in NATO Mission Iraq, a non‑combat advisory and capacity‑building effort. The statement noted that Italian and NATO forces had agreed with local authorities to leave the area by September 30. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said the withdrawal signals a shift toward greater Iraqi responsibility for its own security. Two Italian Carabinieri officers will remain in Iraq under the European Union’s EUAM Iraq mission, which operates with the Iraqi government’s approval.
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