The US has confirmed it will be withdrawing 2,200 troops from Iraq by the end of September.
The move comes after Donald Trump made an election pledge to disentangle the country from “endless wars”.
His administration is expected to announce the withdrawal of additional troops from Afghanistan in the coming days.
Marine General Frank McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, said during a visit to Iraq: "We are continuing to expand on our partner capacity programmes that enable Iraqi forces and allow us to reduce our footprint in Iraq,"
He added that he believes that Iraqis welcome the US and coalition troops, particularly in the ongoing fight to keep IS fighters from taking hold of the country again.
The withdrawal will see more than a third of the country's troops leave Iraq within weeks.
There are currently more than 5,000 American troops in Iraq and Mr Trump told reporters two weeks ago that “we look forward to the day when we don’t have to be there”.
The US President made the comments during an Oval Office meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.
However, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo emphasised at that same meeting that a full withdrawal of US troops would only occur once “we can complete the mission”.
The top US general for the Middle East, speaking in July, said he believed the country will keep a smaller but enduring presence in the country.
