The final contingent of British and American troops has departed from Iraq, marking the end of a military engagement that spanned over a decade. This withdrawal signifies the conclusion of their mission against the Islamic State (IS) group, which began in 2014 as part of an international coalition effort.
Coordinated Withdrawal
The exit of the remaining British forces, approximately 100 personnel, from Irbil in the northern Kurdistan region was synchronized with the departure of American troops. This planned withdrawal follows a bilateral agreement signed two years ago between the United States and the Iraqi government, aiming to remove foreign troops by the end of the current month.
Since 2014, UK and US forces have been in Iraq to combat the IS group, under the mission known as Operation Inherent Resolve. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has heralded the end of this coalition mission as a pivotal moment for Iraq, as it now assumes full responsibility for its security and stability.
Transition to Iraqi Control
The UK Ministry of Defence has acknowledged the successful efforts of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and the Kurdish Peshmerga in securing the territorial defeat of Daesh in Iraq. With these achievements, Iraq is poised to take over primary responsibility for its security, in collaboration with international partners.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell noted that the coalition’s departure from Irbil marks the successful culmination of the military mission against IS in Iraq. He emphasized that the Iraqi government now holds the primary responsibility for addressing ongoing security challenges, including dealing with IS remnants and militias aligned with Iran that threaten Iraq’s sovereignty and regional stability.
Challenges Ahead
The Iraqi government proclaimed the military defeat of IS in 2017, yet coalition forces remained to prevent its resurgence. A recent UN report indicates that Iraqi security forces’ ongoing counter-terrorism efforts have left IS with only a few hundred fighters capable of limited operations.
Despite these efforts, Iraq faces the challenge of militias backed by Iran within its borders. Prime Minister Zaidi, who assumed office in May, has pledged to disarm these groups and consolidate weaponry under state control, although resistance from several powerful factions persists.
Legacy of Military Engagement
This withdrawal marks the third occasion on which US and UK forces have exited Iraq. Initially, troops were deployed in 1991 following Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. They returned in 2003 under Operation Iraqi Freedom, aimed at removing Hussein and eliminating non-existent weapons of mass destruction. The subsequent insurgency led to significant casualties, including nearly 4,500 US military personnel and 179 British service members.
In 2011, US and UK forces left Iraq, only to return three years later to counter the IS threat. The current withdrawal is part of a broader strategy to transition security responsibilities to Iraqi forces, although US and UK forces will continue supporting operations in Syria and providing targeted training and intelligence to Iraqi partners.
