Last US and UK Troops Leave Iraq as Anti-ISIS Coalition Mission Ends
publishers 21articles 25first reported 27 Sep, 04:00 UTCdeveloping since 28 Sep · 14 editions
The last US and British troops have left Iraq, ending the US-led Operation Inherent Resolve mission launched in 2014 against the Islamic State group.
The withdrawal was completed Wednesday under a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad. Deutsche Welle reported that the departing US contingent comprised about 2,500 troops, while the BBC said roughly 100 remaining British personnel left Irbil in coordination with US forces.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said the end of the coalition mission marked Iraq’s assumption of full responsibility for its security and stability. His government announced four public holidays to commemorate the restoration of sovereignty.
US President Donald Trump called the departure “a victory for the United States,” Iraq and the campaign against ISIS. The UK Ministry of Defence said Iraqi security forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga were prepared to take primary responsibility after securing the group’s territorial defeat. Iraq declared ISIS militarily defeated in 2017, though coalition forces remained to train local forces and help prevent a resurgence.
The withdrawal leaves Baghdad responsible for confronting remaining ISIS cells and addressing armed factions aligned with Iran. Al-Zaidi has pledged to bring weapons under state control, but his government postponed the deadline for militia disarmament until June 30, 2027. Several powerful groups have resisted the plan.
Foreign military deployments have not ended entirely: Turkish forces remain in Iraq, although Ankara has said it will gradually transfer a northern military base to Baghdad.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 30 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 21
- Source articles
- 25
- Given to the writer
- 8, 4 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 30 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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