The fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has prompted Iraqi officials to ask for a delay in the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

Iraqi security officials have warned that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq would create a vacuum favorable for the resurgence of ISIS.

A U.S. defense official said Iraqi government officials had asked “informally at the highest levels” to delay the withdrawal of U.S. troops, citing the same reason.

The United States and Iraq agreed in September 2024 that hundreds of U.S.-led international coalition forces would be withdrawn from Iraq by September 2025, with the remaining troops to be withdrawn by the end of 2026.