President Trump stated that the US military no longer needs to be stationed in Iraq as it airlifts the remaining troops and equipment from Erbil. A US defense official confirmed this operation as the military shuts its last major base, while the Iraqi defense ministry announced that coalition forces have now exited the country. A small number of US Marines will remain to protect diplomatic missions, and contractors will stay to maintain Iraq's fleet of tanks and F-16 fighter jets.

The withdrawal concludes a combat presence that began with the 2003 invasion and spanned 23 years, resulting in approximately 4,500 American deaths and a cost of more than $1.7 trillion. The exit follows a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad to end the anti-ISIS coalition mission. While Iran-backed militias have called the departure a historic victory, Iraqi security officials have warned that a power vacuum could enable the Islamic State to regroup.