The Trump administration is preparing to end military assistance to the Peshmerga, the security forces of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, according to four sources familiar with the matter. The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly informed Kurdish leaders that the government does not plan to renew a memorandum of understanding that provides funding and security support. This agreement is currently scheduled to expire on September 30, coinciding with the planned withdrawal of the remaining international coalition troops from Iraq.
The U.S. has provided military aid to the Peshmerga since 2016, a partnership that was central to the international campaign to defeat the Islamic State (IS). In fiscal year 2026, the Peshmerga received $61 million for weapons, training, and stipends. The Pentagon proposed cutting this aid in its fiscal year 2027 budget request, suggesting the funds be reallocated now that IS has been defeated. However, that spending plan remains on hold due to ongoing budget negotiations in Congress.
Recent discussions regarding the aid occurred alongside broader talks between the U.S., the Iraqi government, and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) concerning the withdrawal of U.S. troops. These talks included White House, Defense, and State Department officials, with Tom Barrack—the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Iraq and Syria—serving as a principal U.S. voice. While the administration has expressed openness to a bilateral security agreement with Iraq, the specific role of the Kurdistan region in such a pact remains undetermined.
A person living in Iraqi Kurdistan would notice the departure of the remaining U.S. and coalition troops by the October 1 deadline. Beyond the physical absence of foreign personnel, the local government would lose the $61 million annual stipend used to maintain its security apparatus. Former officials like James Jeffrey and Jason Campbell suggest this change could make the region more susceptible to external attacks and potentially allow for a resurgence of militant groups like IS, similar to the power vacuum that occurred after the 2011 troop withdrawal.
The Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, has welcomed the withdrawal, stating that Iraq will be "free of any foreign military presence" starting October 1. A final decision on future security engagement is still under review by the Pentagon. The current memorandum of understanding expires on September 30, which serves as the date for the cessation of the current aid structure unless a new agreement is reached.