Trump: I am pleased to announce the departure of the last US troops from Iraq today

US President Donald Trump announced the departure of the last US troops from Iraq, affirming that the withdrawal of coalition forces and their equipment from Erbil Air Base marks the end of a military presence that began years ago. Trump stated that he chose to end the US presence in Iraq and bring the troops home, noting that he had set a clear mission for US commanders and provided them with the necessary tools to accomplish it, while rejecting the transformation of the temporary military presence into a permanent one. He added that he faced a choice between remaining in Iraq or leaving, and decided that the time had come for Americans to return to their country, expressing his appreciation for the Iraqi Prime Minister.