US occupation military is concluding its nearly 9-years existence in Iraq, with Baghdad takes control of the last military base in the country.

US occupation military is concluding its nearly 9-years existence in Iraq, with Baghdad takes control of the last military base in the country.

In the final step ahead of a complete US military withdrawal, the Imam Ali Base, on the outskirts of the southern city of Nasiriyah, was officially signed over on Friday at a ceremony attended by Hussein al-Assadi, the Iraqi official responsible for base transfers.

The base, also known to the US military as Camp Adder, housed 15,000 American troops at its peak.

"We proudly announce to the Iraqi people today the handover of the last American military base," Assadi said after the signing. "Today we are turning the last page on the occupation."

The base, which will now be used by Iraq's fledgling air force, lies on the edge of the ancient city of Ur, the Biblical birthplace of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) pbuh.

Friday's handover comes a day after US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and US commanders took part in a subdued "casing of the colors" ceremony on Thursday near Baghdad airport, the first site US forces occupied in Baghdad during the 2003 invasion.

All that remains of the American military in Iraq are around 4,000 soldiers, down from a peak of nearly 170,000 troops and 505 bases across the country. After year-end, the US embassy will retain just 157 US soldiers, for training of Iraqi forces, and a group of marines to secure the diplomatic mission.

The withdrawal ends a war that left tens of thousands of Iraqis and nearly 4,500 American soldiers dead, many more wounded, and 1.75 million Iraqis displaced, after the US-led invasion unleashed brutal sectarian fighting.

It brings to a close nearly nine years of US military involvement in Iraq that began with a "shock and awe" campaign in 2003 to oust Saddam Hussein.