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Trump Declares "Decisive Victory" as Last US Troops Exit Iraq, Ending Two-Decade Presence
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News18•01-10-2026, 00:45
Trump Declares "Decisive Victory" as Last US Troops Exit Iraq, Ending Two-Decade Presence
- •President Donald Trump announced the final withdrawal of American forces from Iraq, marking the formal conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve.
- •Trump hailed the exit as a "decisive victory over ISIS," a "victory for the United States," and a "victory for Iraq," emphasizing the complete decimation of ISIS.
- •The withdrawal signifies the end of over two decades of American military presence in Iraq, with Trump contrasting it with the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
- •Operation Inherent Resolve, launched in 2003, officially ends in 2026 under Trump's leadership, following a withdrawal plan negotiated by the Biden administration.
- •Iraq will celebrate the US departure with four "Sovereignty Days," and Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi aims to strengthen state authority and disarm militias by June 2027.
Key Questions Answered
The United States military presence in Iraq began with the 2003 invasion under President George W. Bush and officially concluded with the final troop withdrawal ending Operation Inherent Resolve in 2026 under President Donald Trump.
Following the final withdrawal from Iraq, the remaining US forces are relocating to Jordan, where the ongoing mission against Islamic State militants will be headquartered.
Iraq is marking the end of the US military presence with four national holidays known as "Sovereignty Days," as Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi links the departure to efforts to strengthen state authority and disarm militias.
