Trump Confirms US Troop Withdrawal From Iraq, Calls Operation an 'Excursion Into Hell'

US President Donald Trump has confirmed the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, describing the broader military operation there as an "excursion into hell" while framing the pullout as a milestone achievement.

Trump said the withdrawal marked "a victory for the United States, a victory for Iraq, and a decisive victory over ISIS," characterizing the end of the deployment as the successful conclusion of the mission against the militant group.

Long US Military Presence Ends

US forces have maintained a presence in Iraq for years, initially deployed as part of the campaign against ISIS after the group seized large areas of Iraqi and Syrian territory in the mid-2010s. The size and mission of the US deployment shifted considerably over time, moving from direct combat operations to advisory and support roles as Iraqi forces took on a greater share of security responsibilities.

Trump's characterization of the campaign as an "excursion into hell" reflects the intensity and difficulty of the military engagement in Iraq, though he did not elaborate on specific costs or casualties associated with the operation in the statement.

Iraqi officials have not been quoted in available reporting responding directly to Trump's remarks, and further details on the scope, timeline and any residual US presence following the withdrawal were not immediately available.