US Announces the End of Its International Military Mission in Iraq and Troop Withdrawal

The United States has announced the completion of its international military mission in Iraq, which was deployed as part of the fight against the Islamic State terrorist group, and the withdrawal of its troops.

This is stated in a joint statement by the governments of the United States and Iraq, released by the US State Department.

The US also pledges to carry out the necessary procedures for the withdrawal of the US contingent from Iraq in accordance with the Iraqi constitution and laws. According to Reuters, there are about 2,500 US troops in Iraq.

The Iraqi government thanked the Coalition for the support and assistance provided to the security forces to counter the common threat and ensure the territorial defeat of ISIS in the country. The end of the Coalition's military mission in Iraq is scheduled for next year, but no later than the end of September 2025.

After that, there will be a transition to a bilateral security partnership between the countries in order to support Iraqi forces and maintain pressure on ISIS.

At the same time, the Coalition's military mission in Syria will continue to operate until September 2026.

In 2014, the Islamic State group occupied about a third of Iraq. After that, Iraqi forces, with the support of the international coalition, launched an operation to liberate the territories. In January, Iraq and the United States began formal negotiations to wind down the mission of the US-led military coalition formed to fight ISIL. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani argued that Iraqi security forces were able to cope with the remaining ISIS cells in the country and that the coalition's presence was no longer needed.