Beginning with Invasion, US Ends Two-Decade Mission in Iraq
United States forces are preparing to complete their final withdrawal from Iraq on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. This move marks the end of more than two decades of US military presence in the country since the 2003 invasion.
The atmosphere in several Iraqi regions has changed drastically compared to the wartime era. Firdos Square in central Baghdad, which on 9 April 2003 was the site where the statue of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was toppled witnessed by US soldiers, has now returned to being a public space filled with civilian activity.
The US military presence also left a long-lasting footprint across various parts of Iraq. On 27 August 2004, Bradley armoured vehicles from the US Army’s 1st Cavalry Division were seen guarding the road to the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf. More than two decades later, citizens can be seen walking through the area without the presence of US combat vehicles.
Ahead of the withdrawal, attention has shifted to Iraq’s security situation. Kurdish special forces were seen patrolling the outskirts of Erbil on 22 September 2026, amidst concerns regarding the security situation following the departure of the US-led coalition forces from the country.
The withdrawal of US troops is being carried out based on an agreement reached in 2024 under the administration of President Joe Biden and subsequently implemented by the administration of President Donald Trump. US forces are scheduled to leave their final base in Iraq on 30 September.
During more than two decades of military involvement in Iraq, approximately 4,500 Americans are reported to have died. The departure of US forces is now viewed as a significant momentum for the political and security power map in Iraq, particularly as Iran and its allied groups hold strong influence within the country.
Iraqi security analyst Jasim al-Bahadli stated that the withdrawal of the coalition could provide a strategic advantage to Iran. According to him, the US military presence over the years served as a counterbalance to Tehran’s influence in Iraq.