- US to Withdraw Troops from Iraq by September 30 as Baghdad Targets New Economic Partnership with Washington
- Trump says military presence is no longer needed as Iraq links withdrawal to militia disarmament and seeks major US investment
- The planned troop withdrawal represents a major milestone in the relationship between Washington and Baghdad, shifting the focus from military cooperation toward economic partnership and investment.
- As Iraq seeks to consolidate security under state institutions and accelerate economic development, both governments are positioning energy cooperation and private-sector investment as central pillars of their future relationship.
The United States is set to complete the withdrawal of its remaining forces from Iraq by September 30, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House.
Trump said Washington no longer believes a large military presence in Iraq is necessary, marking a potential shift in the long-running US security role in the country.
“Well, we don’t think we need the military there anymore,” Trump said during the Oval Office meeting.
The planned withdrawal follows a gradual reduction of US forces in Iraq, where approximately 2,500 American troops had previously been deployed as part of counter-terrorism operations against the Islamic State group. The number of troops has declined in recent months.
Iraq Links US Withdrawal to Militia Disarmament
Prime Minister al-Zaidi said the withdrawal agreement is connected to efforts to strengthen state authority and ensure that all armed groups operate under government control.
“On September 30th, American forces will leave, and American companies will enter,” Zaidi said. “After 30 September, we will not allow any entity to bear arms outside the state.”
US forces have maintained positions in areas including Erbil in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, a base near Baghdad International Airport, and the government district known as the Green Zone.
Washington and Baghdad Focus on Economic Cooperation
While security dominated previous US-Iraq relations, al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington focused heavily on expanding economic ties, particularly through major American investment in Iraq’s oil, gas and electricity sectors.
During their White House meeting, the Iraqi prime minister highlighted plans for a broader economic partnership between the two countries.
Trump said Iraq has significant economic potential, particularly because of its vast oil resources, and predicted increased cooperation between the two nations.
“We’re going to be doing a lot of deals,” Trump said. “We’re going to create a lot of jobs for both countries, and we’re going to be taking out a lot of oil.”
He did not provide further details on the planned agreements.
A New Chapter in US-Iraq Relations
The planned troop withdrawal represents a major milestone in the relationship between Washington and Baghdad, shifting the focus from military cooperation toward economic partnership and investment.
As Iraq seeks to consolidate security under state institutions and accelerate economic development, both governments are positioning energy cooperation and private-sector investment as central pillars of their future relationship.
