US Ends More Than Two Decades of Military Presence in Iraq
World
The United States has completed the withdrawal of its forces from the last remaining bases in Iraq, ending more than two decades of military presence in the country. The U.S. military operation began after the 2003 invasion, while American forces returned in 2014 as part of the international campaign against the Islamic State.
About 4,500 U.S. service members were killed during the more than two decades of military operations in Iraq. The last American service member in Iraq was killed in July 2026 in a drone attack.
The U.S. military presence began after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. American forces left the country in 2011 but returned in 2014 as part of the international campaign against Islamic State.
In 2024, Washington and Baghdad agreed to transition from the U.S.-led military mission to a long-term bilateral security partnership. Under the transition plan, the coalition was to conclude its military mission against ISIS in federal Iraq by the end of September 2025, while support for operations against the group in Syria from bases in Iraq was to continue until September 2026.
Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq welcomed the departure of U.S. forces, describing it as a “historic victory” and a “crushing defeat for the American project.” Reuters reported that Iran and its allies view the end of the U.S. military presence as a significant development amid their influence in Iraq.
The withdrawal does not mean that security cooperation between the United States and Iraq has ended completely. Under the transition plan, the two countries were to develop a long-term bilateral security partnership, including continued support for the capabilities of Iraqi security forces.
September 30, 2026 therefore marks the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq after more than two decades, beginning with the 2003 invasion and continuing with the return of American forces in 2014.
The U.S. military presence began after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. American forces left the country in 2011 but returned in 2014 as part of the international campaign against Islamic State.
In 2024, Washington and Baghdad agreed to transition from the U.S.-led military mission to a long-term bilateral security partnership. Under the transition plan, the coalition was to conclude its military mission against ISIS in federal Iraq by the end of September 2025, while support for operations against the group in Syria from bases in Iraq was to continue until September 2026.
Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq welcomed the departure of U.S. forces, describing it as a “historic victory” and a “crushing defeat for the American project.” Reuters reported that Iran and its allies view the end of the U.S. military presence as a significant development amid their influence in Iraq.
The withdrawal does not mean that security cooperation between the United States and Iraq has ended completely. Under the transition plan, the two countries were to develop a long-term bilateral security partnership, including continued support for the capabilities of Iraqi security forces.
September 30, 2026 therefore marks the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq after more than two decades, beginning with the 2003 invasion and continuing with the return of American forces in 2014.
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