The final group of American forces are leaving Iraq after more than a decade of fighting ISIS.
By Catholics for Catholics
After more than two decades, for the U.S. military in Iraq, it will finally be farewell to arms.
According to U.S. authorities, American forces have finalized their withdrawal from the country, marking the end of Operation Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq, according to a story by the Daily Wire.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces and equipment had completed an “orderly departure” from Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq, officially putting an end to the U.S. military mission there.
“Job well done to the tens of thousands of American service members, diplomats, and civilian personnel who answered the call in Iraq,” Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said in a statement.
“Because of your grit, sacrifice and professionalism, ISIS no longer poses a systemic threat to Iraq’s national security and Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga and other Iraqi Kurdistan Region security forces, now possess the capacity, leadership, and operational independence to unilaterally manage threats to their homeland.”
Wednesday, President Donald Trump celebrated the withdrawal at the White House, calling it “a great day for America” and declaring that the United States was finally leaving behind what he described as a decades-long “quagmire.”
“It’s been a long time with very bad decision-making that got us involved in this quagmire. In the first place, it was a quagmire. Many, many years it lasted. But soon that part of history will be over. This is a great day for America.”
JUST IN: President Trump marks the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq as the final American forces leave the country.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 30, 2026
After more than two decades of American military involvement in Iraq, we are finally withdrawing.
This is long overdue. pic.twitter.com/8mYZHN2dWP
In addition, Trump also credited Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, whom he has strongly supported, with helping usher in a new chapter for the country.
“Importantly, we leave with Iraq having a wonderful new Prime Minister, Ali Al-Zaidi,” Trump said. “Fantastic guy, friend of mine, and somebody I supported from the very beginning and I fully endorsed.”
Trump described the end of Operation Inherent Resolve as a victory for both the United States and Iraq, while emphasizing that the original purpose of the U.S. military campaign was to defeat ISIS.
“Operation Inherent Resolve, which is what they called it, ends in 2026 under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump,” he said. “We’re getting the hell out of there.”
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