The Iraqi prime minister and the Pentagon say the United States will withdraw its military forces from Iraq by the end of September, according to multiple reports. The planned departure follows a U.S. military presence that began with the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which removed Saddam Hussein. Over the years, the U.S. role has shifted from large-scale operations to smaller missions as the security situation changed. More recently, U.S. forces have been involved in operations against the Islamic State group, with the mission scaled down compared with earlier phases of the conflict. Reporting also indicates that the drawdown is already underway, with American forces reducing their footprint—withdrawals from some areas and consolidation of troops into fewer locations. The officials frame the move as the completion of the latest stage of a long-term reduction in U.S. involvement in Iraq. The announcements come as U.S. commanders and Iraqi authorities coordinate on the timing and the practical steps required for the final departure.