A United States military spokesman said US officials handed over Camp Victory to Iraq on December 2, after officials from both countries signed the necessary paperwork. There was no formal handover ceremony.

About 13,000 US troops remain in Iraq, but are scheduled to leave by the end of the month. The pullout will end a military presence that began with the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled former dictator Saddam Hussein.

Camp Victory, a sprawling US military compound on the outskirts of Baghdad, had served as the US military headquarters in Iraq since 2003.

Top US military officials lived at the site, which is encircled by 42 kilometers of protective walls.

At its height, the base was home to more than 40,000 troops and military-related personal.
The sprawling base was built on and around a lavish palace complex constructed by late Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.