Trump: We leave Iraq with a wonderful prime minister there

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US President Donald Trump announced, on Wednesday, that the last US forces were leaving Iraq, considering that the step represented “a great day for America” and the end of a military presence that extended in various forms for more than two decades.

Trump said in a post on his account on the “Truth Social” platform: “Today I am pleased to announce that the last American forces are leaving Iraq,” adding that the United States is thus ending a long phase that began, as he put it, with decisions that plunged it into a “quagmire.”

Trump praised Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, describing him as a “wonderful new prime minister,” and said that he supported him from the beginning and endorsed him, noting his victory in the elections. He added: “This is a great moment for America,” considering that the departure of the forces also represents a victory for Iraq and a victory over ISIS.

Trump pointed out that the American military presence in Iraq began in 2003 during the presidency of George W. Bush, while Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS began in 2014 during the era of Barack Obama, before ending in 2026 during his current term, according to what was stated in his post.

He said that the orderly departure of the coalition forces and their equipment from Erbil Air Base represents the end of what he described as a costly military intervention, stressing that he refused to turn the temporary presence into a permanent presence.

Trump added that he had two options: to stay or to leave, but he saw that the time had come for the American forces to return home.

The US President also compared the process of departure from Iraq to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, stressing that equipment and forces are leaving Iraq in an organized manner.

Trump returned to praise Al-Zaidi, saying that he hopes that the Iraqi Prime Minister will be able to manage matters well during the next stage.

The American President concluded his post by saying: “We came to fight a caliphate. There is no longer a caliphate. We are returning home.”

Trump's announcement coincides with the conclusion of the international coalition's mission in Iraq and the transition to a new phase in security relations between Baghdad and its international partners. The post reflects Trump's personal description of the departure, its reasons, and its consequences, including his assessment of the defeat of ISIS and of the Iraqi Prime Minister.