The United States is set to withdraw its remaining military forces from Iraq by September 30, 2026, marking the end of a US military presence that began with the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced the deadline on Wednesday following a meeting with US Central Command Commander General Brad Cooper. The move follows an agreement between Washington and Baghdad to wind down the US-led military mission against the Islamic State (ISIS).

September 30 Set as Final Deadline

According to a statement from the Iraqi prime minister's office, September 30 will be the "fixed and final date" for ending the military mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Iraq and completing the departure of coalition forces.

The statement said October 1 would mark a new phase for Iraq, with the country free of foreign military forces.

The Iraqi government also linked the withdrawal to its objective of ensuring that weapons remain under the exclusive control of the state, describing this as an important condition for the country's next phase of development and stability.

US Confirms Planned Withdrawal

A US official also confirmed to The Associated Press that Washington expects to complete the withdrawal by September 30. However, the official did not disclose how many American troops currently remain in Iraq or where personnel could be redeployed.

The official said the United States, Iraq and coalition partners had made significant progress against ISIS and that Iraqi security forces would now take the lead in counterterrorism operations.

This includes Iraq's national security forces as well as the Peshmerga and other security forces in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.

From Invasion to Counterterrorism

The US military presence in Iraq has gone through several major phases since the 2003 invasion.

American troop numbers peaked at more than 170,000 in 2007, during the height of counterinsurgency operations. The last US combat troops left Iraq in December 2011.

However, the rise of ISIS in 2014 changed the situation. After the extremist group captured large parts of Iraq and Syria, US forces returned at the request of the Iraqi government as part of an international campaign against ISIS.

Coalition military operations against ISIS eventually ended in 2021, although American personnel continued to remain in Iraq in an advisory and counterterrorism capacity.

US Bases Came Under Attack

The remaining US military presence has faced renewed security challenges in recent months.

American bases in Iraq have been targeted repeatedly since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28. Most US troops had already withdrawn from bases across Iraq last year, but a presence remained in the northern Kurdish region.

The final withdrawal therefore comes amid a broader reshaping of the US military footprint in West Asia.

Focus Shifts to Bilateral Ties

The Iraqi government said its discussions with the United States now point towards a relationship focused increasingly on economic cooperation, security coordination and mutual sovereignty rather than a large-scale foreign military presence.

The announcement represents a major transition for Iraq after more than two decades of American military involvement.

For Washington, the withdrawal reflects the changing nature of its mission after the territorial defeat of ISIS. For Baghdad, it represents an effort to assert greater control over national security while maintaining cooperation with the United States in other areas.

The September 30 deadline will now be closely watched as Iraq prepares for the final phase of the US military withdrawal.