US troops exit Iraq after more than a decade
The 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.
In a pivotal moment, US troops are scheduled to leave Iraq on October 1, marking the end of a decade-long military presence. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi designated this day as Sovereignty Day, signifying the nation's achievement in establishing its state and institutions. The US forces initially entered Iraq in 2014 to combat the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, which had seized significant territories in both Iraq and Syria.
Although IS was defeated in Iraq in 2017 and Syria in 2019, US troops remained to deal with the group's remnants. This withdrawal comes 23 years after US-led forces removed Saddam Hussein, paving the way for a tumultuous period before the IS emerged. Iran and its allies welcomed the US departure, viewing it as a victory for their coalition of allied forces across the region.
However, Iran's desire for a US-free Middle East has also fueled concerns over the potential decline in security and the resurgence of IS, especially with Iran-backed Shi'ite militias seeking to expand their influence.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
