After more than a decade in Iraq, the United States has begun scaling back its ground presence in the region, transferring control of key military installations to local authorities.

Iraq’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed that U.S. forces have withdrawn from the Ain al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq, with the Iraqi army now assuming full control of the strategic facility.

The move marks another step in Washington’s gradual drawdown of its on-the-ground military footprint in the Middle East.

U.S. officials have said the shift reflects a broader policy reassessment, stressing that large-scale ground deployments are no longer required to address regional security challenges.

They have reiterated that the United States does not intend to act as “the world’s policeman,” instead favoring more flexible and cost-effective approaches.

Under the revised strategy, the U.S. relies increasingly on remote monitoring, intelligence capabilities, and precision strikes, allowing it to track threats and respond rapidly without maintaining extensive troop deployments.

Officials say this approach enables Washington to protect its interests while reducing the risks and financial burden associated with prolonged ground operations.

Security analysts note that the strategy depends on a mix of targeted air operations, advanced surveillance, and coordination with regional partners to counter armed groups and manage cross-border threats.

The shift is also seen as a signal to regional actors, including Iran, that the United States retains the capability to detect hostile activity and respond decisively if necessary.

The withdrawal from Ain al-Asad and similar bases reflects a broader recalibration of the regional balance of power, aimed at sustaining U.S. influence while limiting direct military engagement. At the same time, Washington has moved to strengthen security cooperation with allied countries across the region.

An Iranian official in the region said on Sunday the authorities had verified at least 5,000 people had been killed in protests in Iran, including about 500 security personnel, blaming “terrorists and armed rioters” for killing “innocent Iranians”.

The official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, also told Reuters some of the heaviest clashes and highest number of deaths were in the Iranian Kurdish areas in northwest Iran, a region where Kurdish separatists have been active and where flare-ups have been among the most violent in past periods of unrest.

“The final toll is not expected to increase sharply,” the official said, adding that “Israel and armed groups abroad” had supported and equipped those taking to the streets.

The Iranians authorities regularly blame unrest on foreign enemies, including Israel, an arch foe of the Islamic Republic which launched military strikes on Iran in June.

The U.S.-based HRANA rights group said on Saturday the death toll had reached 3,308, with another 4,382 cases under review. The group said it had confirmed more than 24,000 arrests.

The Iranian Kurdish rights group Hengaw, based in Norway, has said some of the heaviest clashes during protests that erupted in late December were in Kurdish areas in the northwest.

The Pakistan Army has issued a warning to residents of the Tirah Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to vacate their homes by January 25, as security forces prepare to launch a new military operation in the area, Pakistani media have reported. The announcement has triggered growing concerns over large-scale displacement and humanitarian challenges, particularly amid the harsh winter season.

According to the reports, residents have been given one week to leave the region ahead of the planned operation. Pakistan’s federal government has pledged financial assistance to affected families, stating that each household will receive 250,000 Pakistani rupees after biometric registration at centers set up by the provincial disaster management authority. Families will also be allowed to relocate to Peshawar or other tribal districts.

Officials said displaced families will receive a monthly allowance of 50,000 rupees until April. In addition, compensation of one million rupees has been promised for partially damaged homes, while families whose houses are completely destroyed during the operation would be paid three million rupees.

However, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government, led by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has openly opposed the military operation. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who visited Tirah on Thursday, reiterated that military action is not a solution to the province’s security challenges.

“This forced displacement is the result of the so-called ‘closed-door policy,’ which is driven by political interests rather than genuine security concerns,” Afridi said. “After 22 major operations and nearly 14,000 smaller ones, peace has still not been achieved. What guarantee is there that this operation will bring security? Tirah is my home, and its people are my people.”

Meanwhile, thousands of families who have already fled or are preparing to leave their ancestral homes have expressed deep concern over their uncertain future. Residents say spending freezing winter nights without adequate shelter, healthcare, or access to education will create serious immediate and long-term hardships. Some have also complained of deliberate obstacles in the registration and aid distribution process.

Pakistan’s central government estimates that the operation could displace around 100,000 people.

Analysts note that a similar military operation in 2013 displaced nearly 11,000 families from Tirah, who were allowed to return about a year later. During that period, the army established extensive military installations in the area, yet lasting security was not achieved.

Some security experts are also examining the “closed-door” policy from another perspective, arguing that Tirah’s strategic location—bordering Afghanistan and rich in forests and mineral resources—makes it a sensitive area. They warn that instability could create conditions conducive to the movement or relocation of militant groups, including the Daesh.

The situation continues to draw attention as residents, political leaders, and humanitarian observers call for alternatives to military action and greater protection for civilians facing displacement.