US Completes Troop Withdrawal from Iraq, Ending 12-Year Military Campaign
Summary
The United States has completed its troop withdrawal from Iraq, ending a 12-year anti-IS military campaign and handing security responsibility to Iraqi forces. Baghdad has marked the departure as a sovereignty milestone, while concerns remain over IS sleeper cells, Iranian-backed militias, and growing regional security risks.
Key Points
- The United States has withdrawn its last soldiers and military equipment from Iraq, formally ending its 12-year military campaign against the Islamic State.
- Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi framed the move as a sign of sovereignty and stronger national security institutions.
- Security concerns remain over IS sleeper cells, Iranian-backed militias, and the possibility of increased Iranian influence after the US exit.
- Iraq declared September 30 to October 3 a four-day national holiday and celebrated the withdrawal as “Sovereignty Day”.
