President Donald Trump has confirmed that the last American troops are leaving Iraq, after “a long time” that started with some “very bad decision-making.”
That’s what got the U.S. “involved in this quagmire,” he confirmed on social media.
“This is a Great Day for America and, importantly, we leave with Iraq having a wonderful new Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, somebody I supported from the beginning and fully endorsed. He won an Election that he was not expected to win, and did so, in a landslide!” Trump wrote.
“Launched in 2003 under the presidency of George W. Bush, and continued under the Administration of Barack Hussein Obama in 2014, and Sleepy Joe Biden, Operation Inherent Resolve ends in 2026 under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump. This Day is a victory for the United States, a victory for Iraq, and a decisive victory over ISIS, which has been completely decimated by the Trump Administration, First Term, along with other very bad and dangerous players,” he said. “Unlike Afghanistan, where much Military Equipment and everything else was left behind, and 13 Warriors lie dead, with many badly wounded, this orderly departure of Coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base marks the end of a very expensive excursion into Hell. I set a clear mission, gave our Commanders the tools to finish it, and refused to let a temporary presence become a permanent one. I had a choice to stay or to leave, and felt, without question, that it was time for America to go home! Prime Minister al-Zaidi, is outstanding, and he will hopefully be able to handle things very well. We came to fight a caliphate. There is no longer a caliphate. We are going home! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump announces the final US troops in Iraq will be LEAVING
It’s about time! We’ve been meddling in Iraq for 23 YEARS.
Don’t just reposition these troops. BRING THEM HOME! 🇺🇸
“We came to fight a caliphate. There is no longer a caliphate. We are going… pic.twitter.com/4L72DVwSV3
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 30, 2026
After more than a decade, the U.S. has officially ended Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.
The final U.S. forces have departed Erbil, marking the close of the military campaign launched in 2014 to help defeat ISIS.
U.S. officials say the mission dealt a devastating blow to the… pic.twitter.com/ydx2WGNgrH
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 30, 2026
A report posted by UPI said the U.S. on Wednesday formally withdrew the last of its forces and equipment from Iraq.
That involved the departure of 2,500 troops and other personnel.
The Pentagon said the United States was handing off duties to the Iraqis.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said, “The primary responsibility for addressing Iraq’s remaining security challenges, including ISIS remnants and Iran-aligned militias that undermine Iraqi sovereignty and regional stability, now rests with the Government of Iraq.”
America sent in troops and equipment in 2003 to topple the regime of dictator Saddam Husein. The U.S. tried to withdraw in 2011 under Barack Hussein Obama, but returned a short time later because of mass killings, terrorists posting executions of hostages online and other atrocities.
Analysts say still a threat in Iraq are a number of Iranian-backed militias.
