Iraqi militia issues ultimatum to Trump on U.S. troop withdrawal

A powerful Iraqi militia group has issued an ultimatum to U.S. President Donald Trump, demanding the removal of all American troops from Iraq by the end of 2025. 

This comes as a push for Trump to honor the promise made by former President Joe Biden to withdraw U.S. forces by the end of this year.

In an interview with Newsweek, Firas Al Yasser, a key member of the political council of the Nujaba Movement, emphasized that the U.S. must adhere to its commitment to Iraq. 

“By the end of 2025, Trump will be forced to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq. They should keep the promise made to the Iraqi government,” Al Yasser said.

The Nujaba Movement, a militia group affiliated with Iraq’s Islamic Resistance, has long been an ally of Iran and is known for supporting Hamas in the ongoing Gaza conflict. 

Although Iraqi militias have not launched rocket attacks against U.S. forces since February 2024, recent escalations due to Israeli strikes on Gaza have increased tensions in the region once again.

Amid these heightened tensions, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein recently revealed that Baghdad has received intelligence suggesting potential Israeli military action in the region. 

While immediate threats have been avoided, the risk of Israeli strikes on Iraq still looms large, according to Hussein’s remarks on Wednesday.

Iraq has faced continuous conflict for over two decades, ever since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 toppled the regime of President Saddam Hussein. 

The aftermath of the invasion saw the rise of both Sunni and Shia insurgencies, plunging the country into further turmoil.

With the situation in the region growing increasingly volatile, the pressure on the U.S. administration to reconsider its military presence in Iraq has intensified.