The last British and American soldiers have left Iraq, ending more than a decade of a joint anti‑Islamic State presence. The exit, coordinated from the Kurdish city of Irbil, marks the formal conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve, the coalition effort that helped defeat the extremist group.
Background
British and U.S. forces first returned to Iraq in 2014 as part of an international coalition to halt the rapid advance of the Islamic State (IS). Over the years, the coalition provided air support, training, and advisory assistance to the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Kurdish Peshmerga. The mission was slated for withdrawal under an agreement signed with the Iraqi government two years ago, targeting the end of the month.
Significance of the Withdrawal
Full Iraqi control – Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi declared that Iraq is now entering a phase where it assumes complete responsibility for its security and stability.
- Approximately 100 UK personnel were the final contingent to depart Irbil.
- The U.S. forces also left on the same day, ending the coalition’s on‑ground presence in Iraq.
- The UK Ministry of Defence highlighted that the ISF and Peshmerga have secured the “enduring territorial defeat of Daesh” and are ready to take primary security duties.
Remaining Challenges
While the anti‑ISIS campaign is considered concluded, Iraq still faces security concerns:
- IS remnants are estimated to number in the low hundreds, capable of limited, unsophisticated attacks.
- Iran‑aligned militias continue to operate within Iraq, challenging the central government’s authority.
- Prime Minister Zaidi has pledged to disarm these militias, but resistance from powerful factions remains.
U.S. officials emphasized that the primary responsibility for addressing these challenges now rests with the Iraqi government.
International Reactions
Both the United Kingdom and the United States framed the withdrawal as a milestone:
- The UK MoD praised the contributions of its forces, noting support to over 111,000 Iraqi security personnel and more than 21,000 Peshmerga.
- Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell called the mission’s conclusion a “successful” defeat of IS in Iraq.
- The U.S. will maintain “targeted training and intelligence support” for Iraqi partners, with its joint task force now operating from Jordan.
Looking Ahead
As Iraq observes four “Sovereignty Days” to commemorate the withdrawal, the nation faces a pivotal transition. Continued cooperation with international partners, especially in intelligence sharing and training, will be crucial to prevent any resurgence of extremist activity and to manage the influence of militias aligned with external powers.