Iraqis celebrate US military official withdraw after 12-year mission

The withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq ends a 12-year mission against the Islamic State group.

The last troops left an air base in northern Iraq Wednesday under a deal between Baghdad and Washington.

President Donald Trump hailed the withdrawal as a victory for the US and Iraq.

Speaking at the White House during a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Trump celebrated the conclusion of what he called "a very expensive excursion into Hell."

The withdrawal was agreed on two years ago.

The withdrawal was also celebrated by Iran-backed groups but raised concerns among some other Iraqis, particularly in the Kurdish region, where many fear a resurgence of the Islamic State group as well as more attacks by Iran-linked groups, possibly emboldened by the departure of US forces.