The U.S. Military Says Its Withdrawal Of Troops From Iraq Is Complete

UNITED STATES – The U.S. military announced Wednesday that it completed the withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq, ending a 12-year mission to fight the Islamic state group. The last U.S. troops left an air base in Northern Iraq under a deal between Baghdad and Washington.

The withdrawal, agreed on two years ago, comes against the backdrop of the ongoing war between the United States and Iran that has also sometimes spilled over into Iraq, with Iran-backed militias firing on U.S. troops and the U.S. striking the groups’ strongholds.

Baghdad touted the end of the U.S. mission as a sign of the country’s increasing strength and sovereignty.