In brief
The final British and American forces left Iraq this week, bringing a 12‑year coalition mission to an end. The withdrawal follows a 2014 deal for a complete pull‑out, marking Iraq’s transition to full sovereignty. Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi praised the move as a step towards stability, while Defence ministers highlighted the coalition’s success in defeating the Islamic State. The exit also raises questions about Iranian‑backed militias and Iraq’s long‑term security structure. The country plans four national Sovereignty Days to commemorate the event.
After 12 years of foreign presence, the last British and American troops have vacated Iraq this week, ending the multi‑nation coalition’s campaign to defeat the Islamic State. The 100 UK soldiers who left Erbil in the Kurdish north were coordinated with the final U.S. contingent, which also departed on Wednesday, in accordance with a 2014 agreement that called for all coalition forces to be withdrawn by the end of the month.
Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi said the exit marks “Iraq’s transition to a phase in which it assumes full responsibility for its security and stability.” The Defence Ministry noted that Iraqi security forces have now secured the enduring defeat of Daesh and are ready to take primary responsibility for the country’s security.
U.S. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the coalition’s departure from Erbil “marks the successful conclusion of the military mission that defeated ISIS in Iraq.” He added that the remaining security challenges, including remnants of ISIS and Iran‑aligned militias, now fall under the Iraqi government’s purview.
In the years since the 2014 agreement, the coalition has trained and equipped nearly 112,000 Iraqi and Peshmerga fighters, conducted thousands of sorties and delivered bombings against IS targets. Despite the withdrawal, U.S. forces will continue to provide targeted training and intelligence support, and the U.S. Central Command’s joint taskforce remains operational from Jordan.
While Iraq celebrates the withdrawal with four upcoming Sovereignty Days, analysts warn that Iranian‑backed militias may see a power vacuum without the U.S. presence. Prime Minister al‑Zaidi has pledged to disarm these groups, but several powerful factions already resist such moves, potentially increasing regional instability.
The exit also closes the third chapter of U.S. and U.K. involvement in Iraq, following the 2011 withdrawal after the 2003–2011 era and the forced return in 2014 to counter the rise of ISIS. The coalition’s legacy, however, remains a testament to the international effort that helped prevent a resurgence of the extremist group.
