President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that all U.S. forces have withdrawn from Iraq, ending the 23-year military mission. In a statement, Trump described the departure as a "victory for the United States" and praised Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. Trump said Operation Inherent Resolve, which began in 2003, concluded under his leadership in 2026, and emphasized the orderly nature of the withdrawal, contrasting it with the 2021 Afghanistan exit.
President Donald Trump's confirmation marks the formal end of the U.S. military presence in Iraq, a mission that began with the 2003 invasion and expanded through the campaign against ISIS. Trump's statement highlighted the orderly withdrawal from Erbil Air Base and praised Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, whom Trump said he supported from the beginning. As The Zioneer reported in July, Trump and al-Zaidi had outlined a transition from military presence to economic cooperation, including a deadline for militia disarmament by September 30. The withdrawal comes amid broader regional shifts following the U.S.-Iran agreement that ended direct hostilities. No casualties or incidents were reported during the exit.
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