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US-led coalition withdraws troops from Iraqi Kurdistan over Iran war fears: Report
French, Swedish, Italian, and Norwegian troops were among those who left a key air base in northern Iraq
24.01.2026
News Desk
Source: https://thecradle.co/articles/us-led-coalition-withdraws-troops-from-iraqi-kurdistan-over-iran-war-fears-report
US-led coalition forces have repositioned troops from Erbil Air Base in the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) in recent days, Middle East Eye (MEE) reported on 24 February, amid tensions over a possible US strike on Iran.
Several countries in the US-led coalition have either withdrawn or relocated personnel from the base in the IKR, while roughly half of the foreign forces previously stationed in Erbil have shifted to other countries as a precaution, sources told MEE.
French, Swedish, Italian, and Norwegian troops were reportedly among those who left, while US and Hungarian personnel have largely remained at the base.
Norwegian military spokesperson Brynjar Stordal confirmed the move, saying, “Norway has about 60 soldiers in the Middle East region, carrying out various missions. Some of them have been relocated due to the tensions in the region, in cooperation with our coalition partners.”
A German military source also said Berlin reduced its forces in response to escalations.
German and Norwegian officials are so far the only countries to formally acknowledge the withdrawals and repositionings.
Erbil Air Base, located at a civilian airport, has become the primary hub for foreign forces in Iraq after the US-led coalition relocated its headquarters from Baghdad and handed over Ain al-Asad Air Base to the Iraqi government. Amid rising tensions, it has become an increasingly prominent target.
“The Erbil base has a large target on it,” Nicholas Heras of the New Lines Institute told MEE, arguing that attacking it would allow Iran to signal “the cost of working with the Americans.”
Erbil’s role in US military planning stems from Washington’s long-standing partnership with the Masoud Barzani-led Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the dominant political force in the Kurdistan Region.
Kurdish leaders describe their ties with the US as long-term and strategic, while Washington has expanded its diplomatic and economic presence in Erbil, reinforcing its position as a key US foothold in Iraq, less than 1,000 kilometers from Tehran.
Former US deputy assistant secretary of defense, Michael Patrick Mulroy, meanwhile, said, “As you start seeing repositioning from Erbil … the chances of a US strike are going up. A lot hinges on the meeting in Geneva.”
As the US amasses forces across West Asia in preparation for a possible attack on Iran, Tehran is strengthening its deterrence and defense posture, with recent reports pointing to expanded defense coordination with both China and Russia.
Reuters recently reported that Tehran is in advanced talks with Beijing to acquire hypersonic anti-ship missiles.
Modern Diplomacy also reported China’s Ministry of State Security has supplied Iran with advanced radar, surveillance, and encrypted systems capable of tracking US and Israeli stealth aircraft. Beijing is also encouraging Tehran to shift away from western technology as it seeks to protect its economic interests and oil access without directly intervening in a potential war.
The Financial Times (FT) revealed a $589-million agreement signed last year with Moscow for hundreds of portable air defense launchers and thousands of missiles.
Iran warned it would treat any so-called “limited” US strike as an act of war and respond accordingly, after US President Donald Trump said he was considering a small-scale attack.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated, “An act of aggression would be regarded as an act of aggression. Period,” adding that Iran would respond “ferociously” under its right to self-defense, while maintaining readiness for diplomacy ahead of indirect talks scheduled in Geneva on 26 February.
French, Swedish, Italian, and Norwegian troops were among those who left a key air base in northern Iraq
24.01.2026
News Desk
Source: https://thecradle.co/articles/us-
US-
Several countries in the US-
French, Swedish, Italian, and Norwegian troops were reportedly among those who left, while US and Hungarian personnel have largely remained at the base.
Norwegian military spokesperson Brynjar Stordal confirmed the move, saying, “Norway has about 60 soldiers in the Middle East region, carrying out various missions. Some of them have been relocated due to the tensions in the region, in cooperation with our coalition partners.”
A German military source also said Berlin reduced its forces in response to escalations.
German and Norwegian officials are so far the only countries to formally acknowledge the withdrawals and repositionings.
Erbil Air Base, located at a civilian airport, has become the primary hub for foreign forces in Iraq after the US-
“The Erbil base has a large target on it,” Nicholas Heras of the New Lines Institute told MEE, arguing that attacking it would allow Iran to signal “the cost of working with the Americans.”
Erbil’s role in US military planning stems from Washington’s long-
Kurdish leaders describe their ties with the US as long-
Former US deputy assistant secretary of defense, Michael Patrick Mulroy, meanwhile, said, “As you start seeing repositioning from Erbil … the chances of a US strike are going up. A lot hinges on the meeting in Geneva.”
As the US amasses forces across West Asia in preparation for a possible attack on Iran, Tehran is strengthening its deterrence and defense posture, with recent reports pointing to expanded defense coordination with both China and Russia.
Reuters recently reported that Tehran is in advanced talks with Beijing to acquire hypersonic anti-
Modern Diplomacy also reported China’s Ministry of State Security has supplied Iran with advanced radar, surveillance, and encrypted systems capable of tracking US and Israeli stealth aircraft. Beijing is also encouraging Tehran to shift away from western technology as it seeks to protect its economic interests and oil access without directly intervening in a potential war.
The Financial Times (FT) revealed a $589-
Iran warned it would treat any so-
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated, “An act of aggression would be regarded as an act of aggression. Period,” adding that Iran would respond “ferociously” under its right to self-