Iraq Completes Full Withdrawal of US Troops from Federal Territory

The Iraqi government announced the complete withdrawal of US military forces from its federal territory, excluding the autonomous Kurdistan region, where some troops remain. This decision follows a request from the Iraqi government in 2023, and marks the end of a military presence that began with the 2003 invasion. The last contingent departed from Al-Asad Airbase, which had hosted US troops for over two decades. While the US military has reduced its presence significantly, tensions remain high in the region, particularly with Iran. Iraqi officials assert that their armed forces are now capable of securing the country independently, with future US cooperation expected to focus on training and operational coordination.

Key Details: • Last US troops left Al-Asad Airbase in Anbar province. • US military presence in Iraq peaked at 170,000 soldiers in 2003. • Future US-Iraq cooperation will focus on training and joint operations. • Coalition operations against ISIS will continue in Syria. • Iraqi militias have cited US presence as justification for maintaining arms.