U.S. and Iraqi officials say the withdrawal of remaining American forces from Iraq remains on schedule for completion by September 30, marking the planned end of a military presence that began with the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
High-Level Talks Reaffirm Timeline
The timeline was reaffirmed after a meeting in Baghdad between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command. Following the talks, al-Zaidi described September 30 as the “fixed and final date” for ending the military mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Iraq and completing the departure of coalition forces.
A U.S. official also confirmed that Washington expects the withdrawal to be completed by that date, although the Pentagon did not disclose how many troops remain in Iraq or where they may be redeployed.
2024 Agreement Guides Withdrawal
The withdrawal is being carried out under a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad that called for a gradual drawdown of the U.S.-led coalition mission. Most American troops left bases across Iraq during 2025, while a smaller contingent remained in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, primarily around Erbil, where forces have focused on advising and supporting Iraqi and Kurdish security forces.
The agreement also provided for a transition from the coalition mission to a bilateral security partnership between Iraq and the United States.
Security Concerns Persist
Security conditions remain a concern. Bases in northern Iraq have been targeted repeatedly by Iran-aligned armed groups, particularly since the escalation of regional tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran earlier this year.
Iraqi authorities have also set the same September 30 deadline for the disarmament of non-state armed groups, although analysts say that goal may prove difficult to achieve because of resistance from powerful Iran-backed militias.
From 2011 Withdrawal to ISIS Fight
The United States originally withdrew all combat troops from Iraq in 2011, but returned in 2014 at the invitation of the Iraqi government to help fight the Islamic State group after ISIS seized large parts of Iraq and Syria.
In recent years, the American mission has focused on training, advising, and assisting Iraqi security forces, with troop levels reduced to roughly 2,500 personnel before the current withdrawal phase began.
A 23-Year Military Chapter Nears Its End
If completed as planned, the September withdrawal will close a 23-year chapter of direct U.S. military involvement in Iraq and represent a major shift in relations between the two countries.
Iraqi leaders have emphasized that cooperation with Washington will continue through economic, diplomatic, and security coordination, even after the departure of American troops.
