After Afghanistan, US Army will also leave Iraq & will leave Baghdad by September 30, why did Trump suddenly take this decision?

US Troops Withdrawal Iraq: America has announced that it will soon withdraw its troops completely from Iraq. US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made a joint announcement saying that all US troops deployed in Iraq will be withdrawn by September 30, 2026. Trump said that now the relationship between America and Iraq will be based on trade, investment and economic partnership instead of military cooperation.

Questions have started being raised on this decision of America and they are asking why 4,500 more American soldiers and 32,000 soldiers were injured to capture Iraq. Why does America want to leave it suddenly? Is America going to gradually withdraw its troops deployed throughout the Middle East?

What did America say about the decision?

The withdrawal of troops from Iraq does not mean that America is ending its military network across West Asia. In recent months, America has sent about 10 thousand additional troops to the region amid increasing tensions with Iran. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), currently more than 50 thousand American soldiers are deployed in the Middle East.

Donald Trump and Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi (Source- Social Media)

CENTCOM said that these soldiers are present at airbases, naval bases and aircraft carriers of many countries. America’s objective is to maintain security in the region, keep an eye on terrorism and protect its allies. Therefore, withdrawal from Iraq is not being considered as farewell from the entire region.

Where are how many American soldiers deployed?

50 thousand American soldiers are deployed in the Middle East (AI generated image)

America’s military presence in the Gulf countries is still very strong. About 13,500 US troops are deployed in Kuwait and it is considered to be America’s largest ground logistics center. About 11 thousand soldiers and more than 100 fighter planes are present at Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar. The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet is headquartered in Bahrain, where more than 9 thousand sailors are deployed. At the same time, about 3,800 soldiers are engaged in security and intelligence operations in Jordan. The UAE has about 3,500 troops at its Al-Dafra airbase, while more than 2,700 troops are deployed at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan airbase. There are also 900 to 2,000 American soldiers present in Syria.

Why is America leaving Iraq?

Many big reasons are being given behind the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. The Iraqi Parliament and the people there had been demanding the withdrawal of foreign troops for a long time. Apart from this, Iran-backed Shia militia groups were continuously launching rocket and drone attacks on American targets, which increased the security threat.

Threat to the security of American soldiers deployed in Iraq (Source- Social Media)

Due to increasing tension between America and Iran, Iraq was becoming the center of conflict between the two countries. Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi assured America that after the departure of American troops, the government will disarm armed militia groups and only government security forces will have weapons.

Trump took the decision under the new strategy

Defense experts say that America is now distancing itself from the policy of keeping large numbers of troops deployed in other countries for a long time. Under the new strategy, America wants to develop more effective military capability with fewer troops. Now instead of small military bases, big and secure bases like Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait will be used more.

Aircraft carriers, drones, long-range missiles and modern surveillance technology have become an important part of America’s new military policy. In case of any crisis, priority is being given to the ability to take rapid action rather than having a standing army.

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The goal is to stop China’s influence

Experts believe that the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and now Iraq is a sign of America’s changing global priorities. Now Washington’s biggest focus is on countering China’s growing economic and military power.