The United States military announced today that it has completed the withdrawal of all remaining troops from Iraq, formally ending a 12‑year campaign against the Islamic State and closing a chapter that began with the 2003 invasion. The final units departed under the coordination of U.S. Central Command, which described the exit as "orderly" and in line with the timetable set by the Baghdad government.
The withdrawal
Centcom confirmed that the last American soldiers left Iraqi territory after more than two decades of continuous deployment. The departure marks the conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led effort that began in 2014 to defeat ISIS and restore stability to the region. While the combat mission is now finished, a small diplomatic staff and a handful of contractors will remain to support Iraqi security forces and monitor the evolving threat environment.
Iraqi response
In Baghdad, crowds gathered to applaud what many described as a "great day for Iraq," while others voiced apprehension about the future security landscape. Analysts noted that Iran‑backed militias, which have been legally armed under a 2021 agreement, remain heavily equipped and have not yet been disarmed. The Iraqi parliament recently postponed the deadline for militia disarmament to June 2027, fueling worries that a power vacuum could be filled by these groups.
"This is a great day for America and a victory for both our nations," former President Donald Trump said, calling the 20‑year war a "quagmire" and celebrating the completion of the mission.
Humanitarian organizations warned that the sudden removal of U.S. logistical support could strain Iraqi forces already coping with persistent insurgent activity and economic hardship. Yet many Iraqis expressed relief, recalling the years of violence that accompanied the foreign presence.
Geopolitical fallout
The exit is widely seen as shifting the regional balance of power toward Tehran. With the United States stepping back, Iran and its allied militias are poised to exert greater influence over Iraq’s political and security apparatus. The Washington Post and Reuters highlighted the strategic recalibration, noting that Iran has leveraged its militia network to fill gaps left by departing foreign troops.
Policy experts, including those at the Atlantic Council and Foreign Policy, cautioned that while the withdrawal fulfills a long‑standing promise, the United States may need to retain a limited capability to respond to emerging threats. They argued that a complete disengagement could embolden extremist groups and undermine the gains made against ISIS.
In the meantime, the Iraqi government has pledged to continue combating terrorism independently, relying on its own forces and the support of coalition partners. The United Nations has called for a coordinated approach to ensure that the disarmament of militias proceeds smoothly and that the security vacuum does not lead to renewed sectarian violence.
As the United States steps back from the ground, the next phase of Iraq’s stability will hinge on internal reforms, the pace of militia demobilization, and the broader dynamics of U.S.–Iranian competition in the Middle East.
