U.S. forces are set to leave Iraq after 23 years, with plans to end America’s military presence as the last U.S. bases depart. The long campaign began after the 2003 invasion that removed Saddam Hussein and includes periods of full-scale combat, insurgency, and later redeployments.
Across the timeline, reporting highlights how U.S. involvement evolves with Iraq’s security situation. After insurgency-era operations and a major drawdown, the United States withdrew its forces in 2011. U.S. troops later returned in 2014 as the Islamic State group spread, reflecting renewed concerns about Iraq’s ability to defend itself. Even as Iraq marks the end of the U.S. presence, outlets emphasize that security challenges persist, with uncertainty about conditions on the ground after the departure.
One outlet frames the move as a milestone tied to sovereignty and dates the final departure for Sept 30, 2026, while another focuses on the broader historical sequence of U.S. troop levels and the reasons for returning or leaving. Both accounts converge on the central point: the United States ends its long deployment, but Iraq’s security concerns do not disappear immediately.
