Breaking News Iraq: US Approves $100m Satellite Iraqi Military; Iraq Takes Over Strategic Air Base Following U.S. Withdrawal

The United States has approved a $110 million foreign military sale to help expand Iraq’s military satellite communications network, according to a report by The Defense Post. (Kurdistan24 - کوردستان 24)

Under the approved plan, Iraq will receive additional satellite communications equipment, including Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs), related modems, hubs, L-band tactical satellite manpacks, spare parts, and extended technical support. This package is aimed at improving secure information sharing within Iraq’s Ministry of Defence rather than introducing new weapons systems. (Kurdistan24 - کوردستان 24)

This agreement builds on an earlier, smaller foreign military sale worth $46 million that was implemented below the threshold requiring formal congressional notification. Combined, the two efforts are expected to significantly strengthen Iraq’s existing communications architecture, increasing both connectivity and resilience across defense institutions. (Kurdistan24 - کوردستان 24)

Improved satellite communications are seen as crucial for enhancing Iraq’s command and control capabilities, which support key military functions such as border security, energy infrastructure protection, and coordination among dispersed forces. (Kurdistan24 - کوردستان 24)

A Maryland-based company, Network Innovations, has been named the lead contractor for the project. In addition to delivering the hardware, the contract includes integration support, engineering assistance, and training for Iraqi personnel. US government and contractor staff are expected to be based in Iraq for up to five years to oversee regular program reviews, equipment upgrades, and in-country training to ensure the systems remain effective over time. (Kurdistan24 - کوردستان 24)

The satellite communications sale reflects a broader pattern in US-Iraq defense cooperation, which in recent years has focused more on sustainment, modernization, and training rather than the purchase of new combat platforms. Recent U.S. defense support for Iraq has included maintenance services, spare parts, and logistics support for US-made F-16 fighter jets, along with follow-on support for precision-guided munitions such as Hellfire missiles used by Iraqi aircraft and helicopters. (Kurdistan24 - کوردستان 24)

While no specific delivery schedule has been released, the long-term presence of U.S. personnel highlights Washington’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Iraq’s military communications infrastructure and broader defense capabilities. (Kurdistan24 - کوردستان 24)

Iraq Takes Full Control of Strategic Air Base Following U.S. Withdrawal

BAGHDAD — In a major shift in Iraq’s security landscape, the Iraqi army has assumed full control of the Ain al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq after the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces, Iraqi officials said on January 17, 2026. (AP News)

The transfer of the strategic facility in Anbar province marks the culmination of a 2024 agreement between Baghdad and Washington to wind down the U.S.-led coalition mission that had been focused on combating the Islamic State group. Under that plan, U.S. troops were to depart major bases by September 2025, with the handover process extending into early 2026. (Reuters)

Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah personally oversaw the transition of duties to Iraqi units, calling for enhanced coordination and full use of the base’s capabilities. With the departure of all U.S. personnel and equipment, the base now operates solely under Iraqi command. (AP News)

Ain al-Asad has long been one of Iraq’s most important military installations and hosted U.S. and coalition forces for years. It was frequently targeted by militia groups during periods of regional tension, including after the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. (Arab News)

While this marks a symbolic end to the U.S. presence at Ain al-Asad, American forces remain in other parts of Iraq — particularly in the Kurdish region in the north and in neighboring Syria — as part of broader security commitments in the region. (AP News)

The full Iraqi takeover is expected to strengthen Baghdad’s control over its military infrastructure and could reshape internal debates about disarming non-state armed groups that have historically used the presence of foreign troops to justify maintaining their own arsenals. (AP News)