The United States will complete the withdrawal of its military forces from Iraq by September 30, ending a 23-year military presence that began with the 2003 invasion of the country, according to US and Iraqi officials.
Speaking alongside Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said Washington no longer believes a military presence in Iraq is necessary, citing the country’s growing economic ties and improving stability.
“We don’t think we need the military there anymore,” Trump said, adding that while the United States remains committed to supporting Iraq, the relationship is increasingly focused on economic cooperation rather than military involvement.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi confirmed that all US forces would leave Iraq by September 30, while emphasising that American businesses would continue to invest and operate in the country.
Following the announcement, the Pentagon said the withdrawal is in line with a 2024 agreement reached between the United States and Iraq to conclude the coalition mission against the Islamic State (IS) group. The agreement was negotiated during the previous US administration, and a significant number of American troops have already departed.
Over the past several years, the United States has gradually shifted responsibility for counterterrorism operations to Iraqi security forces, which have received extensive training and support from the US-led coalition. American forces have steadily reduced their presence by consolidating bases and transferring operational duties to Iraqi troops.
The US invasion of Iraq began in March 2003 with a large-scale military campaign aimed at toppling Saddam Hussein’s government. The operation was launched over claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, allegations that were later proven to be unfounded.
At the height of the conflict in 2007, more than 170,000 US troops were deployed in Iraq. Most combat forces withdrew in 2011, though a limited military presence remained to provide security assistance and protect US diplomatic facilities.
American forces returned to Iraq in 2014 at the request of the Iraqi government following the rapid expansion of the Islamic State group across Iraq and Syria. Their mission focused on training Iraqi forces and supporting operations against IS militants.
After the territorial defeat of the Islamic State and the formal end of coalition combat operations in 2021, the US maintained a smaller force of around 2,500 troops for advisory and training roles. That number has steadily declined under the 2024 withdrawal agreement, leaving only a limited contingent in Iraq until the final pullout later this year.(AGENCIES)
