U.S. Completes Troop Withdrawal from Iraq After 12-Year Mission

U.S. military confirms full withdrawal from Iraq, ending 12-year campaign against ISIS. Iraqi officials express mixed reactions.

Editorial Desk

September 30, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — BAGHDAD, Iraq — The U.S. military has completed its withdrawal of troops from Iraq, marking the end of a 12-year mission to combat the Islamic State group, according to Pentagon officials.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that U.S. forces and equipment had left the last air base in northern Iraq, describing the move as an orderly departure. He emphasized that the operation had successfully defeated ISIS as a major military threat and transitioned security responsibilities to Iraqi authorities.

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The withdrawal comes after years of negotiations between Washington and Baghdad, with the final deadline set for September 30, 2026. While some groups in Iraq welcomed the move, others, particularly in the Kurdish region, expressed concerns over the removal of U.S. defense systems and potential security risks.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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