Trump Announces Completion of U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Iraq: 'It's a Great Day'

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the completion of the withdrawal of the last American troops from Iraq, describing the step as “a great day for America” and affirming that the long-standing military mission had reached its end.

Trump stated in a post on his “Truth Social” platform: “I am pleased to announce that the last U.S. troops are leaving Iraq! This crisis has dragged on for too long, and we were drawn into it due to poor planning and wrong decisions, but it will soon become part of history. It is a great day for America, and more importantly, we are leaving while Iraq is led by a wonderful new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, whom I supported from the outset and fully endorsed. He won an election in which his victory was not expected, by a landslide margin!”

He added: “Operation Iraqi Freedom began in 2003 under President George W. Bush, continued under the administration of Barack Hussein Obama in 2014, and then under Joe Biden, to conclude in 2026 under President Donald J. Trump.

“This day is a victory for the United States, a victory for Iraq, and a decisive victory over ISIS, which the Trump administration, during its first term, along with other partners, eradicated. Unlike Afghanistan, where much military equipment was left behind, 13 soldiers were killed, and many others were wounded, this organized withdrawal of coalition forces and their equipment from Erbil Air Base marks the end of an extremely costly journey into hell.”

He said: “I set a clear mission and provided our leaders with the necessary tools to accomplish it, refusing to turn a temporary presence into a permanent one. I had the choice to stay or leave, and I felt, without any doubt, that the time had come for America to return home! Prime Minister al-Zaidi is an outstanding commander, and we hope he will be able to manage affairs with high efficiency.”