Pentagon says US troop withdrawal from Iraq is complete

The Pentagon has confirmed the completion of the U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, ending a 23-year military presence that began in 2003. The transition marks a shift toward a bilateral security relationship as Iraq takes primary responsibility for its own security.
Why it matters
This withdrawal represents a significant geopolitical shift in the Middle East, concluding a major chapter of U.S. foreign intervention in the region.
Trump hails completion of ‘very expensive excursion into Hell’ as US-led coalition anti-ISIL mission ends.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info US troops, seen in northern Baghdad in 2015, have withdrawn from the country after 23 years [File: John Moore/Getty Images] By Al Jazeera Staff Published On 30 Sep 2026 30 Sep 2026 | Updated: 10 hours ago Updated: 10 hours ago The Pentagon has confirmed that the final United States troops deployed to Iraq as part of an anti-ISIL (ISIS) mission have left the country.
The announcement on Wednesday culminated a years-long withdrawal process, which has been hailed by Iraq’s government as an important step in reclaiming the country’s sovereignty amid two decades of war and foreign intervention.
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