Italy Ends 12-Year Military Presence in Iraq
The Italian Defence Ministry said Italian and NATO forces had agreed with local authorities to leave the area by September 30.
Italy has completed the withdrawal of its remaining troops from Iraq, bringing an end to a 12-year military presence that began as part of the international campaign against ISIS, according to the Italian Defence Ministry.
Rome had already recalled most of its personnel from Iraq by March 2026, after an overnight air strike targeted a military base in the Kurdistan region.
Italian forces had served in the US-led Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS as well as NATO Mission Iraq, a non-combat advisory and capacity-building mission aimed at supporting Iraqi security institutions.
The Italian Defence Ministry said Italian and NATO forces had agreed with local authorities to leave the area by September 30.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the withdrawal marked a transition towards greater Iraqi responsibility for the country’s own security.
Despite the end of the military deployment, two Italian Carabinieri officers will remain in Iraq as part of the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq, or EUAM Iraq, which operates with the approval of the Iraqi government, according to the ministry.
Italy’s latest military deployment in Iraq began in 2014 after the rapid expansion of ISIS across large parts of Iraq and neighbouring Syria prompted the formation of a US-led international coalition against the group.
Italy contributed troops to the coalition, helping train and support Iraqi and Kurdish security forces during the campaign against ISIS and subsequent efforts to strengthen the country’s security capabilities.
Italy’s military involvement in Iraq, however, dates back more than two decades.
The US-led invasion of Iraq began on March 20, 2003, toppling the government of Saddam Hussein within weeks. Italy did not participate in the initial invasion but deployed troops later in 2003 under Operation Ancient Babylon, primarily in southern Iraq.
Italian forces were largely stationed in and around Nasiriyah, where they carried out security, reconstruction and humanitarian operations.
In November 2003, a suicide bombing targeted the Italian military police headquarters in Nasiriyah, killing 19 Italians, 12 Carabinieri, five army soldiers and two civilians as well as Iraqi civilians. It was one of the deadliest attacks on Italian personnel since World War II.
Italy ended its Operation Ancient Babylon deployment in 2006 and withdrew its combat contingent from the country.
Italian forces returned to Iraq in 2014 following the emergence of ISIS and the establishment of the international coalition against the group. Their subsequent role focused largely on training, advising and assisting Iraqi and Kurdish security forces rather than large-scale combat operations.
The latest withdrawal therefore concludes Italy’s 12-year military deployment launched against ISIS in 2014, while a small Italian presence will continue under the EU’s civilian advisory mission.
