US forces exit Iraq after two decades, leaving opening for Iran
The pullout ends a 2,500-troop mission and raises fears that Iran-backed militias and Islamic State sleeper cells could exploit a security gap.
- On Wednesday, United States forces are set to complete their withdrawal from Iraq, ending a two-decade presence where 4,500 Americans died during the conflict.
- American forces invaded Iraq in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein, returning less than three years later to fight Islamic State; twice as many Americans died in Iraq as in the parallel war in Afghanistan.
- Iran's Parliament, through deputy chairman Amir Hayat Moqaddam, welcomed the withdrawal on Monday, stating the departure removes a military counterweight to Tehran's influence in the region.
- Islamic Resistance commander Abu Mojtaba called the exit "a historic victory for the Iraqi Islamic resistance groups," though security officials warned Islamic State sleeper cells are escalating activity.
- The withdrawal, agreed under President Joe Biden and executed by Donald Trump, concludes a period when Iraq served as a proxy battlefield between the United States and Iran.
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180 Articles
<p>US withdraws troops from Iraq after two decades, Iran may increase influence in region The last US troops will leave Iraq by September 30. Experts predict Iran's growing influence and risk of retrenchment I.D.</p>
The U.S. military presence in Iraq dates back to the 2003 invasion, ordered during the administration of George W. Bush.
The US-led coalition forces stationed in Iraq since the 2003 invasion and the 2014 international intervention against ISIS will withdraw from the country as of September 30. The Iraqi government has declared October 1 a "historic turning point."
The United States, which invaded Iraq in 2003, is ending its military presence in the country after 23 years. With the closure of coalition headquarters on September 30th, Washington's era of maintaining military bases in Iraq comes to an end, and Baghdad takes over full security responsibility. This was stated by the spokesperson for the Iraqi Armed Forces Commander, Sabah...
The international coalition against Islamic State will leave the country in full disarmament of pro-Iranian militias that threaten Washington's interests in the Middle East
US troops to exit Iraq after 20 years, Iran proxies celebrate 'historic victory'
US forces are leaving their last bases in Iraq as Iran-backed groups celebrate the departure. Iraqi officials and analysts say the pullout could widen Tehran's influence and open security gaps for Islamic State.
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