Iraq sees last US and UK troops leave as Operation Inherent Resolve ends

In a ceremony in the Kurdish capital of Erbil, the final British and American soldiers departed Iraq, concluding a military presence that stretched back to the fight against the Islamic State.

About 100 UK personnel, supported by US forces, were withdrawn last week after Iraq fulfilled a 2018 agreement to bring foreign troops from its borders by the end of September.

Prime Minister Abdul‑Maqdis Ali al‑Zaidi declared the withdrawal a milestone, saying it “marks Iraq’s transition to a phase where the country assumes full responsibility for its own security and stability.” The government will celebrate four Sovereignty Days to commemorate the exit.

Both the UK Ministry of Defence and the Pentagon hailed the operation’s conclusion as a “successful end to a mission that eliminated the terror threat of ISIS” and pledged continued training and intelligence support to Iraqi forces.

While the coalition’s role in Iraq ends, the Iraqis face new challenges: Iranian‑backed militias that have resisted Prime Minister al‑Zaidi’s disarmament plans and the ongoing threat from the remnants of ISIS, which experts say now possess only improvised capabilities.

Historically, Iraq has seen multiple foreign interventions—from the Gulf War to the 2003 invasion and back again—with each wave leaving a lasting imprint on the nation’s politics and security dynamics.

Now, Iraq’s armed forces must navigate a complex security landscape without the backing of external forces, a shift that regional actors view as both an opportunity for stability and a potential flashpoint.