US soldiers in Ain al-Asad base in Iraq.
Iraqi Army assumes full control of Ain al-Asad Airbase after US exit
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- The Iraqi Army has assumed complete control of Ain al-Asad Airbase following the full withdrawal of US forces.
- Iraqi Gen. Abdel Emir Rashid Yarallah, the Army Chief of Staff, personally oversaw the handover.
The Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced Saturday that the Iraqi Army has assumed full responsibility for the management of the Ain al-Asad Airbase.
The move follows the completion of the US military withdrawal from the base, signaling a new phase in Iraq’s efforts to regain control over military facilities.
Located in Anbar Province, Ain al-Asad is considered one of Iraq’s most critical military installations due to its vital location and extensive logistical capabilities.
It was the second-largest US military airbase in Iraq during the US invasion of Iraq and the subsequent occupation.
Following the end of the military mission of the US-led “Global Coalition against Daesh”, the withdrawal of US troops from Ain al-Asad began in September 2025.
The Handover
In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the Ministry of Defense said that the Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Abdel Emir Rashid Yarallah, personally oversaw the transition.
