U.S. – Pentagon: The American military completes its withdrawal from Iraq

WASHINGTON, 30 September /ATSH-DPA/ – The U.S. military has completed its withdrawal from Iraq, the Pentagon announced today, ending an American military presence in the country that lasted more than two decades.

“The United States and its coalition partners have officially completed Operation ‘Inherent Resolve’ in Iraq, after a 12-year campaign against the terrorist group Islamic State,” the Pentagon said.

“The departure of the last coalition forces and equipment from the Erbil air base marked the successful conclusion of the military mission,” it added.

The Pentagon stated that responsibility for dealing with the remaining security threats, including Islamic State cells, now rests mainly with Iraqi forces, although Washington will continue to provide targeted training and intelligence support.

Earlier, Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji welcomed the conclusion of the U.S.-led coalition mission as an “important historic moment.”

The U.S. invaded Iraq together with its allies in 2003, toppling long-time leader Saddam Hussein from power.

American forces withdrew in 2011, but returned in 2014 at the request of the Iraqi government, after the Islamic State took control of large areas of Iraq and neighboring Syria.

The Islamic State was declared militarily defeated in Iraq in 2017, although its cells remain active.