Trump announces end of US military presence in Iraq

US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the last American forces are leaving Iraq, declaring an end to more than two decades of US military involvement in the country.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that the last American Forces are leaving Iraq!” Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social.

“It has been a long time, with very bad decision-making that got us involved in this quagmire in the first place, but soon, that will be part of History,” he added.

Trump said the withdrawal would mark the end of Operation Inherent Resolve and described the departure of coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base as an orderly conclusion to the US mission.

The president also praised Iraq’s new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi.

“This is a Great Day for America and, importantly, we leave with Iraq having a wonderful new Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, somebody I supported from the beginning and fully endorsed,” Trump said.

“He won an Election that he was not expected to win, and did so, in a landslide!” he added.

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