Iraq hails 'important milestone' and militias claim victory as US withdraws
The end of the US-led international coalition's mission in Iraq is a transition to more durable bilateral ties, an adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi said on Wednesday. Under a 2024 agreement between Iraq and the US to wind down the anti-ISIS mission, American forces left bases in Baghdad and western Iraq in September 2025. The second and final phase ended on Wednesday with their…
On Wednesday, Iraq marked an important milestone as US troops withdrew from the country, concluding a 34-year military presence that began with their involvement in the 1991 Gulf War. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi's adviser on security affairs, Qassim Al Araji, stated that the transition to bilateral relations with the US and other coalition members is aimed at strengthening security, intelligence cooperation, information exchange, and capacity building.
The US military presence in Iraq peaked at 170,000 soldiers in 2007, with combat troops returning in 2014 to combat ISIS. Despite the withdrawal, skepticism remains regarding the threat ISIS poses, with some factions arguing it still exists. Hardline militias, including those backed by Iran, have celebrated the departure, vowing to continue their offensive against perceived foreign threats.
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