The U.S. is wrapping up its 23-year military mission in Iraq
The United States and Iraq have agreed to the complete withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraqi territory by September 30. This decision is expected to bring to an end more than two decades of Washington’s military presence, which began in 2003 following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime.
During a joint press conference in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that, at this stage, the U.S. military presence in Iraq is no longer necessary.
“We believe we no longer need troops there. We are there to help them and protect them if necessary, but we do not think that will be necessary,” Trump emphasized, highlighting instead the high level of cooperation with Iraq in the business and oil sectors.
For his part, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi confirmed a clear timeline for the withdrawal of troops and noted that after the withdrawal by the end of September, cooperation between the two countries will focus on economic matters: American companies will continue their operations in Iraq on a permanent basis.
The U.S. Department of Defense (the Pentagon) clarified that this decision is based on a 2024 bilateral security agreement reached during the Joe Biden administration, which provided for a gradual winding down of the coalition mission against ISIS.
The U.S. is now definitively transferring responsibility for the security situation and the fight against remnants of terrorist cells to Iraqi government forces, which have undergone years of training and preparation under the guidance of U.S. Army instructors. A significant portion of the U.S. contingent has already left the country under this agreement, and the remaining forces have gradually consolidated and departed their deployment bases.
It is worth recalling that the U.S. military presence in Iraq lasted 23 years. It began in March 2003 following the invasion by a U.S.-led international coalition aimed at overthrowing Saddam Hussein’s regime. The operation was justified by claims that the regime possessed weapons of mass destruction; however, no such arsenals were found after the occupation of the country.
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