United States Declares End to Iraq War
The Iraq War, launched in 2003 to remove Saddam Hussein and address alleged weapons of mass destruction, evolved into a prolonged conflict involving insurgency, sectarian violence, and nation-building efforts that cost thousands of lives. By 2011, the U.S. had withdrawn most combat troops under a status-of-forces agreement with the Iraqi government. On December 15, 2011, the Pentagon formally announced the conclusion of the U.S. military mission in Iraq during a ceremony in Baghdad. Remaining American personnel shifted to advisory and diplomatic roles, marking the official close of major combat operations after nearly nine years.