# Iran‑aligned militias

Iraq Takes Full Control of al‑Asad Airbase as U.S. Forces Exit

Iraq has assumed full control of the al‑Asad airbase after U.S. forces withdrew, a move that underscores Baghdad’s effort to reclaim sovereignty over military sites and reflects a continued U.S. retrenchment. The transfer tests Iraqi security capabilities and carries implications for regional balance and future U.S. operational approaches in the Middle East.