US to End 23-Year Iraq Mission as Trump Confirms Complete Troop Withdrawal by September

Tehran: After maintaining military presence in Iraq for nearly 23 years, America is now going to end its mission. US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi have announced that all US troops will leave Iraq by September 30, 2026. With this, the American military operation that started in 2003 will become a part of history.

Why did America decide to withdraw its army now?

During the meeting held at the White House, President Trump said that Iraq's security system has become much stronger than before. He believes that now there is no need for permanent deployment of American troops there. He also said that in the future, relations between the two countries will be based more on trade, energy and investment than on security.

Was this decision already decided?

In fact, there was an agreement between the US and Iraq in 2024, under which it was decided to phase out the US-led military mission. A large number of American troops have returned in the last two years and now the final phase is being completed.

How did the US military begin in Iraq?

In March 2003, the US invaded Iraq to oust Saddam Hussein's government. At that time it was claimed that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, but subsequent investigation did not find such weapons. Despite this, this war continued for many years and had a deep impact on Iraq's politics and security system

In the year 2014, Islamic State i.e. ISIS had captured large parts of Iraq and Syria. ISIS quickly took control of the areas and increased attacks on civilians. After this the Iraqi government itself asked for help. At the request of the Iraqi government, the United States and its allies resumed military assistance to Iraq.

What will change after the withdrawal of American troops?

The US military mission in Iraq will formally end after September 30. However, cooperation between the two countries will not end. America and Iraq will continue to work together in the fields of energy, trade, investment and strategic partnership. Trump also said that in the coming times, relations between the two countries will be based more on economic cooperation rather than military presence.