The United States is ending its military mission in Iraq, with the remaining American troops leaving the country after more than two decades of military involvement.
Around 2,500 US troops had been stationed in Iraq at any given time over the past decade, largely in advisory roles supporting and training Iraqi forces.
The latest withdrawal marks the end of a mission that began with the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, when about 130,000 American troops entered the country and overthrew Saddam Hussein’s government.
US forces remained as sectarian violence escalated, with President George W Bush ordering a troop surge in 2007 that brought the American presence to about 170,000 troops at its peak.
The US declared the war over and withdrew in 2011, but returned three years later under Operation Inherent Resolve to fight ISIL after the group seized large areas of Iraq.
The initial deployment was 275 personnel and eventually grew to more than 4,000. After Iraq declared victory over ISIL in 2017, the US reduced its military presence and shifted towards training and advisory roles.
The latest withdrawal marks a major milestone in the long US military presence in Iraq, as Washington and Baghdad seek to move towards a new phase in bilateral relations while questions remain over Iraq’s future security.
Al Jazeera’s Tanya Noury reports from the Pentagon.
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