US Military Leaves Iraq After More Than 2 Decades
The withdrawal of American troops comes after a 12-year mission to defeat ISIS and more than 23 years since the U.S. military first invaded Iraq.
TL;DR
- U.S. military completed withdrawal of troops and equipment from Erbil Air Base.
- Withdrawal marks the end of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.
- Operation Inherent Resolve supported coalition forces in defeating ISIS since 2014.
- Initial U.S. presence, Operation Iraqi Freedom, began with the 2003 invasion.
- U.S. forces returned in 2014 to counter ISIS in Iraq and Syria.