The United States plans to fully withdraw its troops from Iraq by September 30 of this year. The announcement was made during Iraqi Prime Minister Ali az-Zeidi's visit to Washington, according to infohub.kz.
US President Donald Trump said that the need for American military presence in Iraq has ended. The Pentagon confirmed that the withdrawal is being carried out in accordance with an agreement signed two years ago, which stipulates the end of the mission to combat the banned group ISIS. After the withdrawal is complete, Iraqi security forces will continue the fight against militants.
American troops have been in Iraq since 2003. The contingent peaked in 2007 at over 170,000 troops. Subsequently, the numbers were gradually reduced. In recent years, only a small contingent of soldiers and advisors remained in Iraq.