After Afghanistan, American forces are now returning from Iraq, how many soldiers are left in the Middle East?

After withdrawal from Afghanistan in the year 2021, America has now decided to end its military presence in Iraq also. US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi have jointly announced that all US troops will withdraw from Iraq by September 30, 2026. Trump clearly said that now America’s relationship with Iraq will not be based on military, but on trade and economy. However, this decision has raised a big question. Is the US really leaving the Middle East, or just changing its military strategy? Let us know how much presence of American soldiers is there in which Gulf countries…

Is America leaving the Middle East?

No, withdrawal of troops from Iraq does not mean America’s exit from the entire Middle East. After tensions with Iran increased in recent months, the US has sent about 10,000 additional troops to the Ulta region. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), currently more than 50,000 American soldiers are deployed across West Asia. These soldiers are present at airbases, naval bases and aircraft carriers of different countries.

Where and how much American military power is there in the Gulf countries?

1. Kuwait: This is America’s largest ground logistics center located near the Iraq border. A maximum of about 13,500 American soldiers are deployed here.
2. Queue: Al-Udeid Airbase is located here, which is America’s largest airbase in the Middle East. There are 11,000 soldiers present here and more than 100 fighter planes are deployed.
3. Bahrain: This is the main center of America’s naval power. Here is the headquarters of the powerful Fifth Fleet of the US Navy, where more than 9,000 sailors are deployed.
4. Jordan: It is an important US base for regional security and intelligence missions. About 3,800 American soldiers are present here.
5. UAE: Al-Dafra airbase is present here, from where America carries out aerial surveillance and strategic operations. About 3,500 soldiers are deployed at this base.
6. Saudi Arabia: More than 2,700 American soldiers are deployed at the Prince Sultan airbase here. Along with this, the dangerous Patriot Missile Defense System has also been installed here for security.
7. Syria: Between 900 and 2,000 American soldiers are deployed here. Their main role is to conduct anti-ISIS security operations and protect important oil fields.

Why is there withdrawal from Iraq?

There is no single reason behind this historic comeback, rather both diplomatic and ground realities are involved.

• Increasing pressure from Parliament: The Iraqi Parliament and the people there had been demanding the withdrawal of foreign troops for a long time, citing their sovereignty.
• Continuous attacks: Iran-backed Shia militia groups were continuously targeting American bases in Iraq. Rocket and drone attacks had greatly increased the security risk for the soldiers.
• Direct confrontation with Iran: The increasing conflict between America and Iran had made the land of Iraq a proxy battlefield for both the countries, which America wants to avoid.
• Iraqi government assures: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has given a firm assurance to America that after the departure of American forces, the government will disarm all armed militia groups and only official government security forces will have weapons in the country.

America’s smart strategy

Defense experts believe that America is now largely abandoning land wars that shed blood on the lands of other countries and cost billions of dollars. Its new military policy emphasizes on being smart and lethal.

1. Now America will not keep thousands of soldiers in any country unnecessarily for years.
2. Instead of small camps, huge and secure bases like Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait will be used.
3. The entire area will be kept under hawk-like surveillance through aircraft carriers, drone technology and long-range missiles.
4. If a crisis arises, the capability has been developed to make rapid military intervention instead of keeping a permanent army there.

Keep a close eye on China and Iran

Withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan is a big indication that America’s priorities have now changed. America’s attention has now shifted towards Great Power Competition. Now Washington is focusing on these three important fronts.

1. America’s number one agenda is to stop China’s rapidly growing economic and military power.
2. Keeping an eye on Iran’s nuclear program and its aggressive activities in West Asia.
3. Protecting the global energy supply and maritime trade routes from the Gulf region.

The withdrawal of American troops from Iraq is in no way America’s departure from the Middle East. Washington is not packing its bags, but is rearranging it in a more modern, technological and lethal form. America will still remain the boss in West Asia with fewer troops, cutting-edge technology, a deadly Nanny Fleet and strong regional partners.

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