The U.S. withdrawal from Iraq officially began in 2007, following a surge in violence and political instability after the 2003 invasion. The U.S. government aimed to transfer security responsibilities to the Iraqi government and reduce American military presence in the country. By December 2011, the last American troops left Iraq, marking the end of nearly nine years of military involvement. This decision was influenced by a Status of Forces Agreement that required U.S. forces to exit by the end of 2011, reflecting a shift towards Iraqi sovereignty and self-governance.