US to reduce military assistance to Iraqi Kurdistan, sources say

The Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq is bracing for a potential reduction in American military support under the incoming Trump administration, according to officials familiar with policy deliberations. The shift marks a significant recalibration of US commitment to one of its key regional partners in the Middle East.

Kurdish leaders worry that scaling back military assistance could compromise the region's defensive capabilities at a time of persistent security threats. The autonomous region has long served as a stabilizing force in northern Iraq and hosts US military personnel involved in counter-terrorism operations against remnants of ISIS.

The proposed reduction reflects broader policy discussions within the Trump administration regarding US military commitments across the Middle East. Officials have not publicly confirmed the plans, though the reported shift signals potential changes to longstanding security arrangements in the region.

Iran has been identified as a primary security concern for the Kurdish administration, with the country conducting multiple armed attacks on targets within Kurdish territory over recent years. Kurdish authorities fear that diminished American military support would limit their capacity to respond to cross-border threats and maintain regional stability.