US military will be out of Iraq by end of September, officials say

Key Points:

• The U.S. military will withdraw from Iraq by the end of September, ending a 23-year presence that began with the 2003 invasion and transitioned to smaller operations against the Islamic State group.
• President Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced the withdrawal at the White House, emphasizing that the U.S. will shift focus to economic and diplomatic ties rather than military involvement.
• The Pentagon confirmed it is reaffirming a 2024 agreement with Iraq to end the U.S. mission against IS fighters, noting that many troops have already left as Iraqi forces take on greater responsibility.
• The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, initially justified by claims of weapons of mass destruction, led to a large military presence that peaked at over 170,000 troops in 2007 before a gradual drawdown and final combat troop departure in 2011.
• The resurgence of ISIS in 2014 prompted renewed U.S. military support to Iraqi forces, focusing on training and assistance rather than large-scale combat operations.