US Draws Down Iraq Military Presence After More Than Two Decades

The United States is completing its military withdrawal from Iraq under a timetable agreed with the government in Baghdad two years ago, bringing a long and contested chapter in relations between the two countries toward a close.

The American military presence began with the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. What followed was a prolonged deployment as Iraq faced an insurgency, sectarian violence and the difficult task of rebuilding state institutions.

The US role subsequently changed, moving away from large-scale combat operations toward training and supporting Iraqi forces. The fight against Islamic State later became a central focus of American military involvement.

The current withdrawal follows an agreed process with Baghdad, rather than an abrupt departure. Its completion marks a further shift in responsibility for security to Iraqi institutions after more than two decades of American military involvement.