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US forces fully withdrew from their base in Baghdad, marking the end of more than two decades of American military presence in Iraq following the 2003 invasion. Iraq marked the moment with 'Sovereignty Days' celebrations, with Shiite groups hailing the departure, even as a Sunni tribal leader in Fallujah warned Iraq is 'not fully ready' to secure itself and that the withdrawal creates a vacuum feared by many Iraqis. Analysts warned the pullout leaves a security gap that Iran-backed armed groups and a resurgent ISIS could exploit, raising questions about whether Iraq can manage its security challenges independently as it navigates a new regional landscape.