US completes withdrawal of troops from Iraq after 12 years

Summarised from 15 outlets · 30 reports · Updated 2 Oct, 14:38 · Archive

The United States has completed its withdrawal of all troops from Iraq, ending a 12-year mission to combat Islamic State.

The United States has formally completed its withdrawal of all troops from Iraq, ending a 12-year mission to combat Islamic State that began in 2014. About 2,500 American personnel were stationed in Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. The last US troops left an air base in northern Iraq under an agreement between Baghdad and Washington.

The withdrawal was agreed in 2024 under President Biden and carried out by the Trump administration. The Iraqi government made the removal of foreign forces a key demand, with the country now officially taking control of the coalition's remaining bases as it seeks to reaffirm its sovereignty and strengthen its military capabilities.

Iran and its allies celebrated the departure as a victory, with the country having long sought complete removal of US military presence from the Middle East. However, security experts in Iraq worry that the withdrawal could embolden Iranian-backed armed factions and give Islamic State an opportunity to recover. Fox News reports that Baghdad's effort to disarm Iran-backed militias remains unfinished.

The withdrawal marks the end of US military involvement spanning more than two decades, beginning with the 2003 invasion. President Trump celebrated the departure, describing the conflict as a costly venture. Some Iraqis living near the US bases who were caught in crossfire from regional conflicts hope the withdrawal will offer a fresh start for the country.

How it is being reported

• US-led coalition ends anti-Islamic State mission in Iraq amid heightened regional tensions and security fearsThe US-led force has been operating in Iraq for 12 years to dismantle ISIS networks which had threatened to takeover the region and plunge it into instability.Euronews · 1 Oct, 05:08
• Joy mixed with fear as U.S. forces depart Iraq leaving potential security vacuumThe withdrawal of troops ended the largest U.S. war of the century, which brought devastation and chaos from which Iraq has yet to fully emerge.The Japan Times · 30 Sept, 23:34
• Trump celebrates US military exit from Iraq as the end of a ‘very expensive excursion into Hell’The withdrawal, agreed on two years ago, comes against the backdrop of the ongoing war between the US and Iran that has also sometimes spilled over into IraqIndependent World · 30 Sept, 19:15
• Trump celebrates departure of last US forces from Iraq 23 years after invasion: ‘We’re getting the hell out’President Trump celebrated the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq on Wednesday and insisting that his war with Iran won’t drag on for decades.New York Post · 30 Sept, 19:06
• U.S. military clears out of Iraq after 12 years of anti-ISIS operationThe U.S. military announced that it's ending Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, which began in 2014 to combat ISIS. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has more.CBS News · 30 Sept, 18:45
• Pentagon says US troop withdrawal from Iraq is completeThe withdrawal ends two decades of foreign intervention in Iraq as part of 'global war on terror' and anti-ISIL fight.Al Jazeera · 30 Sept, 17:33
• U.S. withdraws from Iraq, declaring an end to major anti-ISIS operationTwo decades after Operation Inherent Resolve began, U.S. troops have finally withdrawn from Iraq. CBS News' Eleanor Watson reports.CBS News · 30 Sept, 15:46
• Pentagon says it has formally completed withdrawal of US troops from IraqAnnouncement comes two years after withdrawal was agreed to and 12 years since US mission to fight IS began The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that it has formally completed its withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, two years after the withdrawal was agreed to and 12 years since the US mission to fight the Islamic State started. After the announcement, Iran and its allies celebrated the departure as a victory, while Iraqi security experts worry that the withdrawal could give the Islamic State and others a chance to recover. Continue reading...Guardian World · 30 Sept, 15:31
• U.S. military pulls out remaining 2,500 personnel, equipment from IraqThe United States formerly withdrew the last of its forces and equipment bringing to a close more than two decades of military involvement.UPI · 30 Sept, 14:29
• U.S. forces withdraw from Iraq after Operation Inherent Resolve began in 2014The U.S. military finished withdrawing from Iraq, 23 years after its 2003 invasion and 12 years after ramping up efforts against ISIS with Operation Inherent Resolve. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.CBS News · 30 Sept, 13:48
• How does Iraq’s security change after US forces withdraw?Iraq marks US troop withdrawal with 'Sovereignty Days', symbolising a shift after decades of foreign military presence.Al Jazeera · 30 Sept, 13:33
• Last UK and US troops leave Iraq as anti-Islamic State mission endsThe withdrawal of coalition forces, under a deal agreed two years ago, was a key demand of the Iraqi government.BBC News · 30 Sept, 12:36
• Mixed reactions in Iraq on final day of US-led coalition withdrawalThe US military announced on Wednesday that it has completed the withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq, ending a 12-year mission to fight the Islamic State group. The last US troops left an air base in northern Iraq under a deal between Baghdad and Washington.France 24 · 30 Sept, 12:27
• Why is the US withdrawing its troops from Iraq?A US-led coalition deployed in Iraq more than a decade ago to fight jihadists concluded its mission on Wednesday, a move celebrated by the country's leaders, but which some fear will embolden pro-Iran armed factions. France 24's Angela Diffley takes a look at the security challenges facing the country and why the US has chosen this moment to take its troops out.France 24 · 30 Sept, 12:18
• U.S. forces exit Iraq amid Iran war. And, SCOTUS revives Trump deportation policyThe U.S. has withdrawn its final troops from Iraq, leaving its defense future uncertain. And, the Supreme Court has sided for now with the Trump administration on third-country deportations.NPR · 30 Sept, 12:13
• US military completes withdrawal of troops from Iraq after 12-year missionThe U.S. military completed its withdrawal from Erbil Air Base, ending Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq while relocating its headquarters to Jordan.Fox News · 30 Sept, 11:16
• US faces another major Middle East troop withdrawal, but threat remainsAbout 2,500 U.S. troops had remained in Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, but Baghdad's effort to disarm Iran-backed militias remains unfinished.Fox News · 30 Sept, 11:00
• The US military says its withdrawal of troops from Iraq is completeThe US military announced on Wednesday that it has completed the withdrawal of its troops from Iraq, ending a 12-year mission to fight the Islamic State group.New York Post · 30 Sept, 10:34
• From Saddam's execution to the rise and fall of ISIS: Stunning images illustrate America's two decades in Iraq as final US troops leave todayMore than two decades after the invasion of Iraq, the last American troops are pulling out from their last bases in the country.Daily Mail · 30 Sept, 10:05
• U.S. military declares end of anti-ISIS Operation Inherent Resolve in IraqThe Pentagon says U.S. forces and equipment in Iraq have been withdrawn, declaring ISIS defeated "as an organized military threat in Iraq and across the region."CBS News · 30 Sept, 09:54
• U.S. military withdraws from Iraq two decades after invasion23 years after the United States military invaded Iraq, sparking an insurgency and a civil war, the U.S. has withdrawn its forces, as the country still tries to combat Iranian influence.NPR · 30 Sept, 09:43
• ‘The country has become a battlefield’: Last US troops exit IraqThe last US troops in Iraq, part of a coalition to fight the Islamic State group, were slated to leave the country on Wednesday under an agreement between Baghdad and Washington. As the Iraqi army officially takes over the coalition’s remaining bases, the government is seeking to strengthen its military capabilities and reaffirm its sovereignty. Meanwhile, some living near the US bases who have been caught in the crossfire of attacks are hoping for a fresh start. Our journalists Amar el-Hameedawi, Marie-Charlotte Roupie and Laurent Berstecher sent this report from Iraq.France 24 · 30 Sept, 09:34
• U.S. forces exit Iraq, emboldening Iran’s proxies and Islamic StateThe departure, celebrated as a victory by Tehran and its allies, was agreed in 2024 under President Biden and carried out by the Trump administration.The Japan Times · 30 Sept, 09:03
• US forces are finally withdrawing from Iraq. But what does that mean for its future?Departure was agreed in 2024 under President Biden, and carried out by Trump despite war in IranIndependent World · 30 Sept, 08:33
• US troops exit Iraq after more than a decadeThe current deployment began in 2014 in an effort to combat 'Islamic State' extremists. Iran, which has sought a complete removal of the US military from the Middle East, celebrated the withdrawal.DW News · 30 Sept, 07:22
• US forces leave Iraq, raising fears of Iran-backed militias amid power vacuumUS forces are withdrawing from their remaining bases in Iraq on Wednesday, completing a pullout agreed under former president Joe Biden as fears grow over the security vacuum it could leave. Iraqi officials and analysts warn the departure could embolden Iran-backed militias and give Islamic State fighters room to rebuild their capabilities.France 24 · 30 Sept, 02:04
• US troops fully withdraw from Baghdad base after two decadesUS Army soldiers have fully withdrawn from the US base in Baghdad.Al Jazeera · 29 Sept, 21:00
• Iraq: US troops withdraw from their Iraqi US-led Operation Inherent Resolve mission against ISIS after 12 yearsAs the US completes its military withdrawal from Iraq, Baghdad declares a new era of sovereignty. But as US troops leave, questions remain over militias, foreign forces and the country's future security.DW News · 29 Sept, 12:08
• Iraq: US troops withdraw from their Iraqi US-led Operation Inherent Resolve mission against ISIS after 12 years as Baghdad delays militia disarmamentAs the US completes its military withdrawal from Iraq, Baghdad declares a new era of sovereignty. But as US troops leave, questions remain over militias, foreign forces and the country's future security.DW News · 29 Sept, 12:08
• US forces to leave last bases in Iraq despite fears Iran will exploit withdrawalUS forces are set to pull out from their last bases in Iraq, leaving the country where 4,500 of their comrades died over more than 20 years of war.Sky News · 29 Sept, 08:23

In this story: United States · Iraq · Islamic State · Iran · Trump · Biden

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log