The Trump administration is moving to terminate military aid to the Kurdish Peshmerga, a key security force in Iraq that played a vital role in the coalition effort to dismantle the Islamic State.
According to reports from officials familiar with the discussions, the Department of Defense has informed leaders in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region that it does not intend to renew the memorandum of understanding for security assistance when it expires on September 30.
This shift coincides with the scheduled withdrawal of the remaining U.S. troops from Iraq and the closure of the military base in Irbil.
The Pentagon has argued that since the mission to defeat ISIS has been successfully concluded, the $61 million in annual funding for weapons, training, and stipends should be reallocated, though the final budget remains subject to ongoing congressional negotiations.
While some analysts warn that the move could create a security vacuum that Iran might exploit, the administration’s focus remains on ending long-term foreign military commitments.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has emphasized that Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga, are now expected to take the lead in defending their own territory against regional threats.
As the U.S. pivots away from its role as a permanent regional guarantor, the administration is exploring new bilateral security frameworks with the Iraqi government to ensure the nation can maintain its own sovereignty and address the presence of Iran-aligned militias.
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