The conclusion of Operation Iraqi Freedom was underscored by the final withdrawal of United States brigade combat teams from Iraq into Kuwait. This marked a pivotal transition after nearly seven years of military operations that commenced in 2003, following the United States' decision to invade Iraq to eliminate weapons of mass destruction and dethrone Saddam Hussein. The U.S. forces, after years of complex engagement with insurgency forces and efforts to assist the fledgling Iraqi government, departed with the remnants of two combat brigades making their exit on August 19, 2010. After extensive deployment, the U.S. military focus shifted toward advising and supporting Iraqi security forces to ensure stability in a post-Saddam state.

The final crossing was symbolic of a decreased military footprint in Iraq, coinciding with long-standing debates in Washington regarding the efficacy of military intervention, nation-building, and the overall strategy in the Middle East. This movement also signified the importance placed on Iraqi self-management and sovereignty and the transition to a new phase of U.S.-Iraqi relations characterized by diplomatic engagement rather than military involvement.

Media coverage of the withdrawal highlighted the complex emotions surrounding the end of the operation, from relief for the returning servicemen and women to concerns about ongoing violence in the region. The U.S. presence in Iraq had been a source of deep divisions within the American populace, and the departure was met with both jubilation and trepidation regarding Iraq's future stability.