US Ends Military Operation in Iraq After 12 Years, Shifts to Bilateral Cooperation

The United States has formally concluded its military mission and completed the withdrawal of all combat troops from Iraq, ending a 23-year presence that began with the 2003 invasion. This transition shifts security responsibility entirely to Iraqi forces, though a residual advisory presence may remain. The withdrawal is confirmed by multiple high-confidence sources, but the long-term implications for regional stability, counterterrorism capacity, and Iranian influence remain uncertain.