US Completes Withdrawal From Iraq, Ending 23 Years of Military Presence
The Pentagon announced the formal end of Operation Inherent Resolve on September 30. Trump: "We came to fight a caliphate. There is no longer a caliphate. We are going home!"
The United States has completed its military withdrawal from Iraq, ending more than two decades of American military presence that began with the 2003 invasion.
The Pentagon announced on September 30 that US and coalition forces had formally concluded Operation Inherent Resolve, the mission against ISIS that began in 2014. The final troops and equipment departed from bases in Iraq's Kurdish region.
President Trump praised Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Truth Social: "This is a Great Day for America and, importantly, we leave with Iraq having a wonderful new Prime Minister." Trump added: "We came to fight a caliphate. There is no longer a caliphate. We are going home!"
Iraq declared a four-day "Sovereignty Days" holiday, with October 1 designated National Sovereignty Day. While Iran-aligned groups celebrated the departure, security experts warn the exit could open space for ISIS remnants or Iranian-backed militias. The US will continue counterterrorism support through training and intelligence.