The U.S. military has completed its withdrawal from Iraq this week, twenty-three years after the invasion under President George W. Bush that toppled Saddam Hussein, according to a report by NPR. The departure marks the end of a two-decade American military presence defined by an insurgency, civil war, and the subsequent rise of ISIS that brought U.S. forces back into the country.
Troop Levels Drop From 170,000 to Zero
The final withdrawal concludes a long drawdown from peak force levels established during the war. At the height of the U.S. military presence in Iraq, 170,000 troops were stationed in the country. In the final phase before this week’s exit, that number had decreased to approximately 1,500 personnel. U.S. forces previously withdrew from Iraq in 2011 during a period of relative stability, only to return three years later at the invitation of the Iraqi government to combat ISIS militants.
Iraqi Prime Minister Promises to Disarm Militias
The exit of American forces coincides with a broader security transition involving Iran-backed militias. NPR reported that Iran and allied militias have framed the U.S. withdrawal as a victory, following years of attacks on American forces and diplomatic missions in Iraq. Concurrently, the Iraqi prime minister has pledged to President Trump that his government will disarm those armed groups, pushing the implementation deadline into next year. While hardline militias announced a halt to attacks apart from shooting at enemy aircraft, complete disarmament remains a difficult objective.
Kurdistan Region Faces Uncertainty and Fear of Betrayal
Reactions to the withdrawal vary sharply across the country. Citizens celebrating at the tourist site of Babylon expressed relief, with schoolteacher Eshwa Saoud telling NPR that foreign troops leaving is better for Iraq because “it’s our country, after all.” Conversely, the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region faces heightened anxiety. Having suffered severe damage from Iranian attacks targeting armed Iranian opposition bases hosted in the area, there is a strong sense of uncertainty and betrayal regarding the U.S. departure.
Ali Allawi Criticizes Decades of U.S. Policy
Reflecting on the legacy of the intervention, former foreign minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Allawi criticized American execution in his book, The Occupation Of Iraq: Winning The War, Losing The Peace. Allawi told NPR that the United States was “indifferent to the outcome, incompetent in managing it,” accusing Washington of invading and then walking away. The invasion dismantled the Iraqi military, created a power vacuum exploited by Iran, crippled state institutions, and fostered deep corruption, leaving behind systemic issues that Allawi states will require a generational shift to fix.
Frequently Asked Questions About the U.S. Withdrawal
Why did U.S. troops return to Iraq after leaving in 2011?
U.S. forces withdrew in 2011 but returned three years later at the invitation of the Iraqi government specifically to help fight the militant group ISIS.
How many U.S. troops remained in Iraq immediately before the withdrawal?
The U.S. military presence had dropped to about 1,500 personnel just prior to the final exit, a significant decrease from the peak of 170,000 troops during the height of the war.
What is the status of the militias operating inside Iraq?
The hardest-line Iran-backed militias announced a halt to their attacks apart from shooting at enemy aircraft, while the Iraqi prime minister promised a deadline next year to fully disarm the groups.
Next Steps in Iraqi Security and Regional Diplomacy
The Iraqi government faces its deadline next year to disarm the Iran-backed militias operating within its borders while managing regional security pressures from neighboring Iran and the vulnerable Kurdistan region.
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