Brief
U.S. completes final troop withdrawal from Iraq
The last U.S. personnel left Iraq’s Irbil air base on Sept. 30, concluding a two‑decade deployment.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The United States removed its final troops from Iraq on Sept. 30, 2026, ending a 20‑year military presence that began with the 2003 invasion.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the remaining contingent consisted of a few hundred service members stationed at Irbil air base in northern Iraq. The withdrawal was carried out at the request of the Iraqi government and marked the second complete pullout, the first having occurred in 2011.
Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, praised the effort in a statement, saying the anti‑ISIS mission would continue from a new coalition headquarters in Jordan and that U.S. forces would remain ready to respond to any resurgence.
The agreement to end the U.S. presence was originally negotiated by President Joe Biden in 2024 and was executed under President Donald Trump, who framed the exit as a victory for both nations.
Key facts
- The final U.S. troops left Iraq on Sept. 30, 2026. (latimes.com)
- The remaining force was a few hundred personnel at Irbil air base. (latimes.com)
- Adm. Brad Cooper said the anti‑ISIS mission will continue from Jordan. (latimes.com)
- The withdrawal agreement was negotiated by President Biden in 2024 and carried out by President Trump. (latimes.com)
Sources
- [1] latimes.com — originally reported as “U. S. troops leave Iraq, but future of Iran-backed militias remains uncertain”
