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What happened
The United States is ending its Operation Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq, marking the end of a nearly two-decade long military presence in the country. The withdrawal will shift primary responsibility for security inside Iraq to Iraqi forces, while the US and Iraq transition towards a bilateral defense relationship.
American forces first invaded Iraq in 2003, and after a period of insurgency and sectarian violence, the US combat mission ended in 2011. However, US forces returned in 2014 to combat ISIS, beginning the campaign that became Operation Inherent Resolve. The mission later shifted from major combat operations towards advising and enabling Iraqi forces.
The withdrawal leaves powerful Iran-aligned factions operating inside Iraq, with some officials warning that the US presence had acted as a counterweight to Iranian influence. ISIS also remains a concern, with Kurdish commanders warning that the loss of US intelligence, drones, and logistical support could give the group an opportunity to regroup.
The American commitment to Iraq has accumulated a significant financial and human cost, with estimates suggesting that the war has cost the US over $2 trillion, and resulted in the deaths of over 4,400 US military personnel.
