Last UK and US troops leave Iraq as anti-Islamic State mission ends
The last American and British troops have withdrawn from Iraq, concluding a foreign military presence that lasted more than a decade. The departure follows a deal between Washington and Baghdad made two years ago.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said the coalition mission’s end marks a shift to Iraq taking full responsibility for its security and stability.
The UK Ministry of Defence said Iraqi security forces and Kurdish Peshmerga had helped secure Islamic State’s lasting territorial defeat and were ready to take the lead. US officials also described the mission as complete.
Iraq declared Islamic State militarily defeated in 2017, but coalition troops stayed to help guard against the group’s return. The Iraqi government still faces security challenges from Iranian-backed militias.
Key points
- The final US and UK troops have left Iraq.
- The withdrawal follows an agreement between Iraq and the US government.
- Iraq now leads its own security, while facing threats from Islamic State and Iranian-backed militias.