Pentagon says US troop withdrawal from Iraq is complete
Summary
The Pentagon confirmed that all U.S. troops involved in the anti-ISIL mission have left Iraq, completing a long withdrawal process. The U.S. military role is now shifting from combat to advisory, as Iraq's government takes primary responsibility for security.Key Facts
- The last U.S. troops and international forces departed from Erbil Airbase in Iraqi Kurdistan.
- The U.S. first invaded Iraq in 2003 with up to 170,000 troops at its peak in 2007.
- Troops were withdrawn in 2011 but returned in 2015 due to the rise of ISIL (ISIS).
- After ISIL lost its territory in 2017, U.S. forces shifted to an advisory role and consolidated in Erbil by the end of 2023.
- The withdrawal was confirmed by Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell as marking the end of a 12-year campaign against ISIL as a military threat.
- President Donald Trump announced plans for a complete withdrawal in 2020, and the final plan was signed by President Biden and Iraq’s Prime Minister in 2024.
- The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) moved anti-ISIL operations headquarters to Jordan; some U.S. troops remain in Syria.
- Iraq’s government, including its security forces and Kurdish Peshmerga, will now lead efforts to maintain security and suppress ISIL remnants.
- Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi sees the withdrawal as a chance for Iraq to move towards normal economic and security relations.
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