US troops begin withdrawal from key Iraqi bases

US troops have begun withdrawing from two key Iraqi bases, Ain al-Asad and the Victory Base Complex, signaling a plan to end the American military presence in the country. The pullout is part of a Trump administration plan to reduce forces in a region of strategic competition with Iran, with some soldiers relocating to Erbil or Syria. This action follows a period of significant regional change, including attacks on US forces by Iranian-backed militias, Israeli actions against Hezbollah, and the fall of the Assad government in Syria. The withdrawal continues despite previous agreements to keep troops in Iraq to combat the Islamic State group, as pressure for their removal increased following the conflict in Gaza.