BAGHDAD — US forces have begun their final withdrawal from Iraq, more than two decades after American troops entered the country to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s government.
The withdrawal from the remaining US military bases is scheduled to conclude by September 30, 2026. Washington and Baghdad agreed on the withdrawal timetable in 2024. The plan is now being completed under President Donald Trump’s administration.
US Troops Returned to Iraq to Fight ISIS
The United States invaded Iraq in 2003 and removed Saddam Hussein from power.
American forces withdrew at the end of 2011. However, they returned in 2014 after Islamic State militants captured large areas of Iraq and Syria.
The US-led coalition then supported Iraqi forces in the fight against ISIS. That military mission continued for years as Iraqi forces regained control of territory held by the group.
The latest withdrawal marks the end of the US-led coalition’s military mission in Iraq under the 2024 agreement. However, Washington and Baghdad are expected to maintain broader security relations after the military departure.
Around 4,500 Americans Died in Iraq
Around 4,500 US service members died during more than two decades of American military involvement in Iraq, according to Reuters.
The departure has drawn different reactions across the region. Iran and Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq have described the withdrawal as a victory.
Iran has also welcomed the departure of US forces from Iraq. Tehran has long called for an end to the American military presence in the wider Middle East.
Concerns Over Security Vacuum
At the same time, some Iraqi security officials and analysts have raised concerns about the impact of the withdrawal.
They say Iraq may face greater pressure from Iran-aligned armed groups after the US departure. Some also warn that Islamic State could seek to exploit any security gaps.
Iraqi security forces have taken primary responsibility for the country’s security, but some officials question whether they are fully prepared to operate without the US-led coalition’s military support.
The withdrawal therefore marks a major change in Iraq’s security environment. It also ends a long period in which US forces played a direct military role in the country.
