The United States has withdrawn its last remaining troops from Iraq, according to a statement from CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper. The move marks the formal end of a US military presence that began with the 2003 invasion and continued through the fight against ISIS.
In announcing the withdrawal, Cooper said the US is stepping back and handing full primary responsibility for Iraq's security to the Government of Iraq and its people. He added that US and Coalition forces stationed across the region will remain ready to respond to any ISIS threats that arise, ensuring a continued counterterrorism capability without a permanent US footprint in the country.
The decision transfers the burden of internal security entirely to Iraqi forces, a significant shift in the region's security architecture. While the US retains the ability to strike ISIS targets from outside Iraq, the on-the-ground presence that has supported Iraqi operations for years is now over.