Deadline: September 30: U.S. Troops to Leave Iraq After 23 Years

Darwin, 15 July : The United States is set to withdraw all of its troops from Iraq by the end of September, bringing an end to 23 years of military presence in the country. The information was reported by officials from both the United States and Iraq, according to a news report. U.S. troop deployment in Iraq began in 2003 following the U.S.-led invasion that toppled then-President Saddam Hussein. Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera reported the development.

According to a report published by Germany’s Deutsche Welle on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi in Washington on Tuesday, “We believe there is no longer a need for a military presence there.”

However, Trump also highlighted the growing economic ties between Iraq and U.S. oil companies.

Speaking through an interpreter, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi said that all U.S. troops would be completely withdrawn from Iraq by September 30. He added that American companies would continue operating in the country.

He said, “After September 30, we will not allow any foreign organization to keep weapons inside the country.”

Focus on Economic Partnership

The primary objective of Prime Minister Al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington was to secure major U.S. investment in Iraq’s oil, gas, and electricity sectors.

During the meeting at the Oval Office, he indicated that the two countries were working toward establishing a new “economic partnership.”

President Trump said, “Iraq has tremendous potential because of its oil. We are going to make many deals. These agreements will create a great number of jobs for both countries, and we will produce a significant amount of oil.”

However, he did not provide further details about the proposed agreements.

Plan for a New Oil Pipeline

According to two Iraqi officials, an agreement is expected to be signed on Friday to build a new oil pipeline extending from Basra through Haditha to ports in Turkey and Syria.

The project, which is designed to transport 2 million barrels of oil per day, involves Iraq, Chevron, TI Capital, and Qatar’s UCC.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said in a statement that it remains committed to the 2024 agreement with Iraq aimed at concluding military operations against the ISIS terrorist group. At the time the agreement was signed, approximately 2,500 U.S. troops were stationed in Iraq.