With President Donald Trump's approval, United States troops have begun the strategic withdrawal from Baghdad
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The United States armed forces have begun withdrawing from two strategic military bases in Iraq, in a clear sign that President Donald Trump's administration is fulfilling its commitment to end the U.S. military presence in the country.
According to regional media, U.S. soldiers began the withdrawal last Sunday from the Ain al-Asad base in Anbar province, and from the Victory Base Complex, located within Baghdad International Airport.
The withdrawal is being carried out in stages, but both bases are expected to be fully evacuated within days. Part of the military personnel will be relocated to Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region, while others will be transferred to Syria, where the United States keeps bases in the northeast of the country.
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Iraqi military sources confirmed that, by tomorrow, the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops and personnel from Baghdad will be completed, including their departure from the Green Zone, Victory Base, and the Joint Operations Command Headquarters.
This withdrawal is part of a long-term plan initially negotiated in 2024 during Joe Biden's administration, and later adopted and efficiently carried out by President Trump.
In that agreement, Washington and Baghdad agreed to a gradual withdrawal of the U.S.-led coalition troops, especially from key bases such as Ain al-Asad and the area around the capital, with the goal of completion before the end of 2026.
The change in the regional dynamic has influenced the decision. In 2024, Iran-aligned Shiite militias launched at least 70 attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq, intensifying tensions after the conflict sparked by Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023.
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However, since then, the geopolitical situation has changed drastically: Hezbollah has been severely hit after the elimination of its leadership by Israel, Bashar al-Assad's regime fell in Syria, and Tehran suffered significant setbacks after U.S. bombings of its nuclear facilities.
Although the pro-Iran militia alliance in Iraq, known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), continues to operate, the Iraqi government has faced internal pressure to demand an end to the foreign military presence, especially following the escalation of violence in Gaza. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has replied favorably to these demands, facilitating the gradual departure of U.S. troops.
Since the 2003 invasion, the United States has maintained an intermittent military presence in Iraq. At its peak in 2007, there were about 170,000 soldiers deployed.
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Although the formal combat presence ended in 2011, the resurgence of the Islamic State in 2014 led Washington to send troops again to lead an international coalition against the extremist group. By 2024, the number of personnel had been reduced to about 2,500 soldiers.
The withdrawal from Baghdad represents an important milestone in the de-escalation process. Although the United States will maintain a limited presence in Erbil (Iraqi Kurdistan) for at least one more year, and in northeastern Syria, the departure from the Iraqi capital marks the end of an era of direct operations in the center of the country.
