US to withdraw troops from Iraq after 23 years

The United States will withdraw all its troops from Iraq by September 30, ending a 23-year military presence in the country, the Iraqi prime minister’s office said Wednesday.

The office of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said the deadline was final and that October 1 would mark a “historic day” as no foreign troops would remain in Iraq.

The withdrawal timeline was agreed during a meeting between Zaidi and Gen. Brad Cooper, commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), according to the statement.

The announcement follows the planned conclusion of the US-led coalition’s mission against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq. Baghdad and Washington will now focus on strengthening bilateral ties based on mutual respect for sovereignty, with greater cooperation in economic and security affairs.

The United States began its military invasion of Iraq on March 19, 2003, to overthrow then-President Saddam Hussein. Saddam was captured later that year and executed on December 30, 2006, after being convicted and sentenced to death.

US forces were expected to leave Iraq following Saddam’s death, but the rise of IS led Washington to continue its military presence as part of efforts to defeat the group.

SKS