After Two Decades of Invasion.. American Forces Withdraw from Iraq

Baghdad - Afaq News - It is expected that American forces will complete their withdrawal from the last bases in Iraq by tomorrow, Wednesday, after more than two decades since the American invasion of the country in 2003, according to a report published by Reuters news agency.

The withdrawal, which was agreed upon in 2024 during the Biden administration and is currently being implemented under the Trump administration, comes at a time when the United States is waging a war against Iran.

According to the report, security sources in Iraq warn that this step could expand the scope of operations by Tehran and its affiliated militias in the country, and may even allow ISIS to attempt to re-establish its presence.

Jassim Al-Bahadli, an Iraqi security analyst specializing in Iranian-affiliated Shiite organizations, told Reuters that Tehran is expected to benefit strategically from the American withdrawal, as the American military presence has been a counterbalance to Iranian influence in Iraq for years.

Abu Mujtaba Al-Yasiri, one of the leaders of the 'Islamic Resistance in Iraq', described the withdrawal of American forces as a 'historic victory' and a 'crushing defeat for the American project'. He added that the militias will celebrate on September 30 'turning the page on a dark chapter in Iraq's history'.

Meanwhile, Iraqi officials warned that the country is not yet fully prepared to take on complete security responsibility. Abdul Rahman Al-Zubaie, a Sunni tribal leader from Fallujah, stated that the main concern is creating a security vacuum after the withdrawal of the coalition.

U.S. forces invaded Iraq in 2003 and toppled Saddam Hussein's regime. The United States withdrew from the country in late 2011, but returned less than three years later to assist Iraqi forces in the fight against ISIS.