US completes withdrawal of troops from Iraq after decades-long presence
The US has ended its military mission in Iraq after more than two decades, drawing celebration from Baghdad and Iran-aligned factions but also warnings that a security vacuum could benefit the Islamic State group or Iran-backed militias.
What happened
The United States has formally completed the withdrawal of its remaining troops from Iraq, according to the Pentagon and Iraqi officials.1469
The withdrawal follows a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad and concludes what outlets describe variously as a 12-year anti-Islamic State mission or a more than two-decade US military presence dating to the 2003 invasion.8121521
Iraqi leaders and Iran-aligned factions have celebrated the departure, framing it as a victory and a step toward renewed Iraqi sovereignty, while some Iraqi security experts and other observers warn of risks including a security vacuum, a resurgent Islamic State, and emboldened Iran-backed militias.24161720
The last US and UK troops departed from an air base in northern Iraq, with the US relocating its regional headquarters to Jordan.121424
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
- The United States has completed the withdrawal of its remaining troops from Iraq, ending its military mission there.1469121324
- The withdrawal follows a deal agreed between Washington and Baghdad in 2024.81218
- The mission being concluded was originally a US-led coalition effort against the Islamic State group, which began around 2014.28724
- Iran and allied factions in Iraq have celebrated the withdrawal as a victory.4161822
- There are concerns that the withdrawal could allow Islamic State remnants to regroup or embolden Iran-backed militias.241719
- Iraqi leaders have celebrated the withdrawal as a moment of renewed sovereignty.2820
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
How the withdrawal will affect security in Iraq
Iraqi government and Baghdad officials, per SCMP, Dawn, Jerusalem Post
The withdrawal is celebrated as a step toward renewed Iraqi sovereignty.2820
Iraqi security experts, cited by The Guardian
The withdrawal could give the Islamic State and other groups a chance to recover.4
Unnamed analysts/commentary, cited by SCMP, Daily Maverick, Japan Times, Rappler
The withdrawal risks emboldening pro-Iran armed factions and a resurgent Islamic State group.2171823
Kurds in Iraq, per ABC News Australia
Concern about the implications of the US withdrawal for their region.7
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| US and allied outlets focusing on operational and political framingNorth America | US outlets emphasize the formal Pentagon announcement, the operational details of the withdrawal, and domestic political context, including Trump administration involvement.61421 | Pentagon completion, Operation Inherent Resolve, relocation to Jordan, Trump's role |
| Middle Eastern outlets emphasizing sovereignty and regional power dynamicsMiddle East & Turkey | Outlets from the region highlight Iraqi framing of the withdrawal as a sovereignty milestone, alongside skepticism about Iraq's earlier requests for US help and Iran's regional influence.51320 | sovereignty, renewed independence, irony of prior requests for help, Iran's role |
| European public broadcasters and financial press noting historical arc and security riskEurope | European outlets frame the withdrawal within the longer historical arc of US involvement since 2003, and note ongoing competition for influence among Iran-backed militias.4121924 | two decades of involvement, deal agreed two years prior, Iran-backed militias, mixed Iraqi reactions |
| State-controlled outlets framing the exit as an expected transition of responsibilityRussia & Eurasia | Russian state media frames the withdrawal as an orderly conclusion of a declared operation, with US expectations placed on Iraq to independently manage its own security.3 | operation concludes as planned, Iraq to handle IS remnants independently |
| Qatari state-controlled outlet emphasizing historical scope of interventionMiddle East & Turkey | Al Jazeera frames the withdrawal as ending two decades of foreign intervention tied to the broader "war on terror" narrative.13 | two decades of intervention, global war on terror framing |
| South and Southeast Asian outlets highlighting economic leverage and historical costsSouth Asia | Outlets in this region focus on the human and financial costs of the war and continued US financial leverage over Iraq via oil revenue mechanisms even after troop withdrawal.1622 | US control of oil revenues, American casualties, leverage over Baghdad |
| African and independent outlets emphasizing security vacuum riskAfrica | African outlets, some via syndicated wire copy, emphasize fears of a security vacuum benefiting Iran-backed militias and Islamic State remnants.117 | security vacuum, Iran-backed militias emboldened, Islamic State resurgence risk |
| East and Southeast Asian outlets emphasizing factual completion and celebrationEast Asia | Outlets in this region present a largely factual account of the mission's conclusion, noting celebration by Iraqi leaders alongside concerns about pro-Iran factions.21118 | mission conclusion, Iraqi leader celebration, fears over pro-Iran factions |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed what specific US military assets or personnel numbers remained in Iraq immediately prior to this final withdrawal.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported the Islamic State group's own response or statements regarding the withdrawal.
- None of the outlets reviewed provided details on what replacement security arrangements, if any, Iraq has put in place to manage the transition.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported reactions from other regional governments beyond Iraq and Iran-aligned factions.
Why it matters
The withdrawal marks the end of a US military presence in Iraq that began with the 2003 invasion, over two decades ago, and included a later coalition mission against the Islamic State group starting in 2014.1519212
According to The Straits Times and The Economic Times, roughly 4,500 Americans died during more than two decades of war in Iraq.1622
What to watch
- Whether Iraq's security forces can independently manage any resurgence of Islamic State remnants, as anticipated by Washington according to TASS.
- Whether Iran-backed militias increase their influence in Iraq following the US departure, as flagged by the Financial Times and others.
- How Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq respond to the changed security posture, per ABC News Australia.
Sources (24)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
North America
- 6NPRUSPublic broadcaster
U.S. forces exit Iraq amid Iran war. And, SCOTUS revives Trump deportation policy
- 14Fox NewsUSPrivate
US military completes withdrawal of troops from Iraq after 12-year mission
- 21The New York TimesUSPrivate
Europe
- 4The GuardianGBPrivate
Pentagon says it has formally completed withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
- 12BBC NewsGBPublic broadcaster
Last UK and US troops leave Iraq as anti-Islamic State mission ends
- 19Financial TimesGBPrivate
- 24France 24FRPublic broadcaster
Mixed reactions in Iraq on final day of US-led coalition withdrawal
Russia & Eurasia
- 3TASSRUState-controlled
US officially concludes Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq: what is known
Middle East & Turkey
- 5Anadolu AgencyTRState-controlled
Trump hails Iraq's new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi as US forces leave
- 13Al Jazeera EnglishQAState-controlled
- 20The Jerusalem PostILPrivate
As US ends operations in Iraq, Baghdad celebrates its withdrawal and renewed sovereignty - analysis
Africa
- 1PunchNGPrivate
- 10MyJoyOnlineGHPrivate
Last UK and US troops leave Iraq as anti-Islamic State mission ends
- 17Daily MaverickZAIndependent
US forces exit Iraq, emboldening Iran’s proxies and Islamic State
South Asia
- 8DawnPKPrivate
Iraq PM hails new era of 'sovereignty' after US-led coalition exit
- 15The HinduINPrivate
- 22The Economic TimesINPrivate
East Asia
- 2South China Morning PostHKPrivate
US ends troop mission in Iraq, Baghdad to celebrate Sovereignty Day on October 1
- 11Taipei TimesTWPrivate
US-led coalition ends mission in Iraq years after IS defeated
- 18The Japan TimesJPPrivate
U.S. forces exit Iraq, emboldening Iran’s proxies and Islamic State
Southeast Asia
- 9Malay MailMYPrivate
US formally ends Iraq mission after more than a decade fighting Islamic State
- 16The Straits TimesSGPrivate
- 23RapplerPHIndependent
US forces exit Iraq, emboldening Iran’s proxies and Islamic State
Oceania
- 7ABC News (Australia)AUPublic broadcaster
Baghdad celebrates, Kurds concerned as US completes Iraq withdrawal