US troops Iraq withdrawal will close a turbulent military chapter that began with the 2003 invasion.
The United States plans to remove its remaining military forces from Iraq by September 30, 2026. American and Iraqi officials said the withdrawal remains on schedule under an agreement reached in 2024.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi described the deadline as fixed and final. His office said October 1 would begin a new period without foreign military forces stationed inside Iraq.
The withdrawal will end the latest American military mission in Iraq. However, it does not end diplomatic, economic or security cooperation between Washington and Baghdad.
Final Troops Preparing to Leave
Most American forces already left other parts of Iraq during the earlier stages of the drawdown. A smaller group remained in the northern Kurdistan region to support operations against the Islamic State group.
The Associated Press reported that equipment began leaving the remaining American position near Erbil in recent weeks. United States military officials said the final withdrawal remains on track.
American troops had trained Iraqi forces, shared intelligence and supported operations against Islamic State fighters. Iraqi forces will now take greater responsibility for preventing the group from rebuilding inside the country.
A Mission That Began in 2003
United States forces invaded Iraq in March 2003 and removed President Saddam Hussein from power. The Bush administration accused Iraq of holding weapons of mass destruction, but inspectors found no active stockpiles.
The invasion led to years of fighting, political unrest and sectarian violence. American troop levels passed 170,000 during the military surge in 2007.
Most United States troops left Iraq in December 2011. Therefore, the American military presence was not continuous throughout the entire period beginning in 2003.
American forces returned in 2014 after the Islamic State group captured large areas of Iraq and Syria. Iraq invited the United States led coalition to help stop the group’s advance and rebuild Iraqi security forces.
The Fight Against ISIS Changed the Mission
The international coalition helped Iraqi forces reclaim territory from the Islamic State group. Iraq announced the territorial defeat of the organization in 2017.
Islamic State cells continued conducting attacks after losing their territory. American forces remained to advise Iraqi units and support counterterrorism operations.
The United States Department of Defense announced a two phase transition plan in September 2024. The plan shifted security duties toward Iraqi forces while supporting operations against Islamic State threats in neighboring Syria.
Defense officials said at the time that Islamic State had weakened but had not disappeared. That concern will continue after the final American troops leave Iraq.
Baghdad Calls Deadline Final
Al Zaidi reaffirmed the deadline after meeting United States Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper. The Iraqi government said both countries agreed that the coalition mission would end no later than September 30.
Baghdad has faced years of political pressure from armed groups that oppose the American presence. Several Iran aligned militias have attacked United States bases and demanded a complete withdrawal.
The Iraqi government has also set a September 30 target for bringing all weapons under state control. Enforcing that goal could prove difficult because powerful militias retain strong political and military influence.
Iraqi officials argue that ending the foreign presence removes one reason armed groups use to justify keeping their weapons. The government wants its official security forces to hold exclusive control over military power.
What the Withdrawal Does Not End
The September deadline applies to foreign military forces, not all Americans living or working in Iraq. United States diplomats, embassy security personnel and employees of American businesses may remain.
The two governments also plan to continue a bilateral relationship based on trade, energy and security cooperation. The 2024 joint statement called for an enduring partnership after the coalition mission ends.
The United States will also retain forces and military facilities elsewhere in the Middle East. American personnel remain positioned in countries including Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.
A New Security Test for Iraq
The withdrawal gives Iraq greater control over its national security. It also places more pressure on Iraqi forces to contain Islamic State cells and limit armed militias.
Washington will watch whether Iraq can protect its borders, manage internal divisions and prevent extremist groups from rebuilding. Baghdad must also balance relationships with the United States and neighboring Iran.
October 1 will carry powerful meaning for Iraq after decades of war and foreign intervention. Yet the success of this new chapter will depend on whether Iraqi institutions can preserve security without foreign troops on the ground.