Last UK and US troops leave Iraq as anti-Islamic State mission ends

What the report says

The last British and American troops have left Iraq, bringing an end to the coalition mission against Islamic State, according to BBC World News. The final UK personnel, about 100 soldiers based in Irbil in the Kurdistan region, departed in coordination with US forces, which also left on Wednesday. Their withdrawal followed an agreement with the Iraqi government signed two years ago to remove foreign troops by the end of this month.

The coalition, known as Operation Inherent Resolve, has been in Iraq since 2014 to support the fight against IS. The Iraqi government says the country’s security forces are now taking full responsibility for national security. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said the move marked a new phase in which Iraq would manage its own security and stability. The government also plans to mark the departure with several national holiday days called “Sovereignty Days.”

UK and US officials described the exit as the successful conclusion of the military mission that helped defeat IS in Iraq. The UK Ministry of Defence said Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga units are better placed to handle security, while the Pentagon said Iraq must now deal with remaining IS cells and Iran-aligned militias. A UN report cited in the article said IS still has several hundred fighters in Iraq, although they are limited to unsophisticated attacks.

The report adds that the departure comes amid continued tensions involving Iranian-backed militias and follows years of repeated coalition withdrawals and returns to Iraq.