The president declared the mission in Iraq complete, in an orderly exit that contrasts with the chaos experienced in Afghanistan under Biden's administration
With an orderly withdrawal and without suffering a military defeat like "Sleepy" Joe Biden in Afghanistan, President Donald Trump announced this Wednesday that the last U.S. forces are withdrawing from Iraq. The news marks the end of the U.S. military presence in the Middle Eastern country after 20 years of a war initiated by George W. Bush.
In his statement, the president criticized Bush, Obama, and Biden by labeling the war in Iraq as a "quagmire" for the military forces. He also emphasized that this is, unlike Biden's chaotic and costly decision in 2021, an orderly troop withdrawal.
"Today I am pleased to announce that the last U.S. forces are withdrawing from Iraq. It has been a long time, with very bad decisions that got us into this quagmire in the first place, but soon that will be part of history. This is a great day for the United States and, importantly, we are leaving Iraq with a wonderful new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, whom I have supported from the beginning and fully backed!", Trump declared.
Trump visits the troops in Iraq during his first term
"Initiated in 2003 under the presidency of George W. Bush, and continued under the administration of Barack Hussein Obama in 2014 and Sleepy Joe Biden, Operation Inherent Resolve ends in 2026 under the leadership of Donald J. Trump. This day is a victory for the U.S., a victory for Iraq, and a decisive victory over ISIS, which has been completely decimated by the first Trump administration, along with other very bad and dangerous actors", he continued.
"Unlike Afghanistan, where a lot of military equipment and everything else was left behind, and 13 warriors lie dead, with many seriously injured, this orderly exit of coalition forces and equipment from Erbil airbase marks the end of a very costly trip to hell. I set a clear mission, gave our commanders the tools to finish it, and refused to let a temporary presence become permanent," he stated.
"I had the option to stay or leave, and I felt, without a doubt, that it was time for the United States to come home! Prime Minister al-Zaidi is exceptional and, hopefully, he will be able to handle things very well. We came to fight a caliphate. There is no caliphate anymore. We are going home!", concluded the Republican leader.
