Trump announces final US troops are leaving Iraq

President Donald Trump announced Sept. 30 that the last American forces were leaving Iraq, ending a 12-year U.S. military mission against the Islamic State terrorist group in the country.

“It’s been a long time with very bad decision-making that got us involved in this quagmire in the first place. It was a quagmire. Many, many years it lasted,” Trump said from the White House. “But soon that part of history will be over. This is a great day for America.” 

He also announced the withdrawal in a Truth Social post, describing it as the end of a “very expensive excursion into Hell” and praising Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, whom Trump said he “supported from the beginning and fully endorsed.”

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces and equipment had completed their departure from Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq, concluding Operation Inherent Resolve’s mission in the country. The base had served as the operation’s main hub and hosted most of the approximately 1,500 American and coalition personnel supporting the fight against ISIS.

The operation remains active in Syria, with its headquarters now in Jordan, CENTCOM said.

The withdrawal follows a 2024 agreement the Biden administration negotiated with Iraq that outlined a phased transition from the coalition mission to bilateral security partnerships. The Trump administration continued implementing the plan, which set Sept. 30 as the final departure date from the country.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that Iraqi forces will lead efforts to secure the country and suppress ISIS remnants. He added that the U.S. will continue providing targeted training and intelligence support, while Iraq’s government assumes primary responsibility for addressing the country’s remaining security challenges, including ISIS remnants and Iran-aligned militias. 

“This milestone reflects the success of a 12-year campaign that defeated ISIS as an organized military threat in Iraq and across the region,” Parnell said in a statement. “It also marks a transition from a wartime coalition mission to an Iraqi-led security effort supported by a more normal bilateral security relationship.” 

The departure marks the second major U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq. American troops invaded in 2003 under former President George W. Bush and overthrew Saddam Hussein’s regime. U.S. forces withdrew in 2011 but returned in 2014 after ISIS seized large parts of Iraq and neighboring Syria.

CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said in the military’s statement that U.S. forces stationed across the region “will remain ready to respond to any ISIS threats that arise.”

He added, “Maintaining our vigilance and readiness is essential to protecting the U.S. homeland and strengthening regional security.”