US Troops to Fully Withdraw from Iraq by September 30, Says Prime Minister

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has declared that all U.S. military forces will be withdrawn from Iraq by September 30. Speaking alongside U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, al-Zaidi specified that while the troops will depart, American companies will continue their operations within Iraq.

Approximately 2,000 U.S. soldiers are currently stationed in Iraq, with a significant contingent based at the Harir Air Base in the Kurdistan Region. Washington and Baghdad had previously agreed in September 2024 to a phased withdrawal of U.S. forces, initially deployed to support operations against ISIS at the request of the Kurdish Regional Government.

The withdrawal decision comes as a renewed U.S.-Iran conflict escalates, reportedly triggered by Tehran's attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which led to the collapse of a previously signed memorandum of understanding. Trump welcomed Prime Minister al-Zaidi, a 41-year-old leader, praising his potential to be an influential figure in the region.

The U.S. military presence in Iraq began with the 2003 invasion aimed at overthrowing Saddam Hussein's regime. At the peak of the occupation, around 170,000 U.S. troops were deployed, operating from over 500 bases. While most combat troops withdrew in December 2011 under a security agreement, U.S. forces returned in August 2014 following the rise of ISIS, focusing on training, advisory, intelligence, and air support for the Iraqi army.

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On September 30, U.S. forces will withdraw from Iraq, but American companies will remain in Iraq.