The departure of the final US troops from Iraq marks the definitive end to a decades-long military presence that began with the 2003 invasion to topple Saddam Hussein. While many Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad and Najaf to celebrate the exit of foreign forces, the mood remains deeply ambivalent. For some, the withdrawal is a moment of national pride, yet for many others, it is overshadowed by the haunting memory of the 2011 withdrawal, which preceded a catastrophic collapse of security and the eventual rise of the Islamic State.

As the US concludes "Operation Inherent Resolve," the focus shifts to whether Iraqi security institutions are truly prepared to face the dual threats of emboldened, Iran-backed militias and the remnants of extremist groups. Analysts warn that the resulting security vacuum could tempt power-hungry factions to challenge the state's authority, while the loss of critical American intelligence and aerial surveillance leaves the military vulnerable. As the nation enters this precarious new chapter, the sentiment among the populace is clear: while the desire for sovereignty is strong, there is a lingering, profound fear that peace may be as fragile as it is hard-won.