President Donald Trump used his social‑media platform on Wednesday to hail the final departure of U.S. troops from Iraq, declaring the September 30 deadline an “orderly” end to a costly mission that began twelve years ago. He framed the withdrawal as a triumph for American taxpayers, for Iraq’s growing independence, and as a clear sign of victory over the Islamic State.
Trump’s own words
“It has been a long time, with very bad decision‑making that got us involved in this quagmire in the first place, but soon, that will be part of History,” the President wrote. He added that the exit marks “the end of a very expensive excursion into Hell” and praised the move as a win for both nations.
Pentagon confirms orderly exit
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell issued a statement confirming that U.S. troops and equipment have completed an “orderly departure” from the air base in Irbil, located in Iraq’s semi‑autonomous Kurdish region. “This milestone reflects the success of a 12‑year campaign that defeated ISIS as an organized military threat in Iraq and across the region,” Parnell said. He noted that the United States will continue to provide targeted training and intelligence support to Iraqi partners.
Iraqi leadership welcomes the handover
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi presided over the hand‑over ceremony, describing the withdrawal as the start of a “new phase” defined by Iraq’s sovereignty, strong institutions and balanced partnerships. He assured that Iraqi security forces will keep the fight against remaining ISIS sleeper cells and that the government will work to prevent non‑state groups from holding weapons.
Regional reactions
While Baghdad and many Iraqis celebrated the reduced foreign footprint, some concerns linger in the Kurdish region, where residents fear a resurgence of ISIS and increased attacks from Iran‑backed militias now that U.S. air‑defense systems have left. The Kurdish Peshmerga Ministry reported over 1,000 drone and ballistic‑missile attacks during the recent U.S.–Iran conflict.
Iran‑aligned groups, however, welcomed the departure. Abu Mujahid al‑Assaf of the Kataib Hezbollah militia called the exit “the beginning of full sovereignty” and warned the Iraqi government against implementing American plans.
What this means for U.S. foreign policy
The withdrawal aligns with President Trump’s broader strategy of refocusing American military resources away from endless overseas entanglements toward defending core national interests. By ending the Iraq mission, the administration reduces the financial burden on American families and underscores a commitment to a more restrained, results‑oriented foreign policy.
Trump’s decision also sends a clear message to adversaries that the United States will not tolerate indefinite occupations. As the war with Iran continues, the administration remains prepared to protect American personnel and allies while avoiding the pitfalls of open‑ended deployments.
Looking ahead
The Iraqi government has pushed back its original deadline for militia disarmament to June 2027, acknowledging the difficulty of securing weapons from powerful Iran‑linked groups. Nonetheless, the United States will maintain a limited advisory presence to help Iraqi forces sustain stability and counter any resurgence of extremist activity.
Overall, President Trump’s decisive action on Iraq reflects a commitment to fiscal responsibility, respect for sovereign partners and a steadfast resolve to protect American lives without endless foreign wars.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
