Trump announces withdrawal from Iraq and praises taking back Afghanistan equipment

US President Donald Trump spoke at the White House as part of the National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Referring to the US withdrawal from Iraq after 23 years at the beginning of his speech, Trump said, "I am pleased to announce that the last American forces are leaving Iraq. A long time has passed with very bad decisions that got us into this swamp in the first place. This has been a swamp for us for many, many years. But soon this chapter of history will be over. This is a great day for America."

Stating that the Iraq war started in 2003 during the reign of former President George W. Bush and continued during the Obama and Biden era, Trump said, "Operation Inherent Resolve, as they call it, ends in 2026 under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump. We are getting the hell out of Iraq. Today is the day of victory for the USA."

"WE LEAVED ALL THE EQUIPMENT BEHIND IN AFGHANISTAN"

Stating that this was a victory for Iraq and also a victory against the DAESH terrorist organization, Trump said that the organization was completely destroyed. "The orderly departure of coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base marks the end of a very expensive journey. We took all our equipment. I said, let it take a while, but take everything. You remember, we left all the equipment behind in Afghanistan," Trump said.

Trump said he gave the order: "If there is even a screw on the ground while we are withdrawing, pick it up, if there is even a tent made of cloth, pick it up." The US President said, "I had to choose between staying or leaving, and I thought it was time for America to come home. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zaidi is a great guy. I hope he can handle things well."

"WE LOST MORE THAN 4,500 AMERICAN SOLDIERS"

Comparing the Iraq war with the attacks on Venezuela, Trump said, "We were in Iraq for 23 years, we lost more than 4,500 American soldiers and had more than 31 thousand wounded. On the other hand, we lost zero soldiers in our war with Venezuela."

Adding that the war in Venezuela lasted 148 minutes, Trump said, "Now we are helping the Venezuelan people get rich again. Big oil companies are coming. We have covered the cost of the war many times more with oil. The country is coming back, there are smiles on people's faces. Money is flowing."

"WE WILL END THIS WAR QUICKLY IN ONE WAY OR THAT WAY"

Then, touching on Iran and referring to Iran as "an almost completely destroyed country", Trump said, "Their economy is not good. There is over 300 percent inflation. Their navy, their air force is destroyed. Their air defense equipment is destroyed. The Strait of Hormuz is almost completely under our control. I say almost because they occasionally lay mines and disrupt things. In the last three days, more oil has passed through the Strait of Hormuz than at any time in history. I am not saying since the war, throughout history." "I say," he said.