Trump Announces End of U.S. Military Presence in Iraq

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday the departure of the last American forces from Iraq, stating that it is time for U.S. soldiers to return home after more than two decades since the start of the U.S. military presence in the country.

According to Reuters, Trump said: "I had the choice to stay in Iraq or leave, and I decided that it was time for Americans to come home."

Trump noted that the departure of coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base marks the end of a military presence that began years ago, saying that the United States is leaving Iraq under the leadership of a "wonderful prime minister," referring to Ali al-Zaidi.

He explained that the withdrawal of U.S. forces and equipment from Iraq is proceeding in an organized manner, unlike the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Trump described the event as "a great day for America," considering the departure of U.S. forces to represent a "victory for the United States and Iraq" and a "decisive victory" against ISIS.

He added that he set a "clear mission" for U.S. forces and provided commanders with the necessary tools to accomplish it, emphasizing his refusal to allow the temporary military presence in Iraq to become permanent.

Trump's announcement coincided with the confirmation by U.S. Central Command of the completion of the organized withdrawal of forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base, thereby ending the "Operation Inherent Resolve" mission in Iraq, which began in 2014 to combat ISIS.

Washington and Baghdad had agreed in 2024 to end the coalition's military mission in Iraq, transitioning to a bilateral defense relationship between the two countries.