Italy has completed the withdrawal of its armed forces from Iraq, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Tuesday.

Axar.az reports, citing Italy’s Defense Ministry, that the last Italian personnel involved in recovering and transferring logistical equipment have left the country.

Crosetto said the withdrawal was carried out in coordination with Iraqi authorities and coalition and NATO partners, with Italian forces leaving Iraq by the September 30 deadline.

“This does not mean the end of our relationship with an important and friendly country, nor does it preclude future forms of cooperation,” Crosetto said.

He added that Italy would shift from a military presence on the ground toward cooperation, training, exchange of expertise and strengthening the capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces.

Italy’s military presence in Iraq lasted 12 years, during which thousands of Italian troops contributed to the fight against Daesh (ISIS), security efforts and the training of Iraqi and Kurdish security forces.

The NATO Mission Iraq will continue operating from a temporary headquarters in Lago Patria, near Naples. Two Italian Carabinieri officers will also remain in Iraq as part of the EU Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq).

The bulk of Italy’s withdrawal had already been completed by March 2026, with only teams responsible for recovering and transferring equipment remaining in the country in recent weeks.