US & UK Troops Leave Iraq, Closing Decade‑Long Mission

Wed Sep 30 2026 13:38:43 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The last British and American forces have departed Iraq, marking the end of Operation Inherent Resolve and ushering in a new era of Iraqi security.

In a coordinated withdrawal, the final British and American troops exited Iraq, ending Operation Inherent Resolve. The move follows a U.S.–Iraq agreement to remove foreign forces by the month’s end and marks Iraq’s shift to full domestic security stewardship. Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi announced four "Sovereignty Days" to celebrate the departure, while U.S. and UK officials noted the remaining challenges from ISIS remnants and Iranian‑backed militias. The joint task force will continue to support Iraqi partners from Jordan and the U.K. will sustain air strikes over Syria.

US & UK Troops Leave Iraq, Closing Decade‑Long Mission

In a coordinated withdrawal that concludes the coalition’s mission to defeat ISIS, the last British and American forces have departed Iraq, marking a new chapter for Iraqi security.

Iraqi security forces guard convoy in Baghdad

The photo shows Iraqi security forces escorting a convoy on a street in central Baghdad, 30 September 2026.

Around 100 UK soldiers left the base in Irbil in the Kurdish north, flying alongside US troops who made their final departure on Wednesday, as the US‑Iraq agreement signed two years ago reached its deadline.

Iraq has finally taken full responsibility for its security and stability, Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi said as the coalition forces tore up the last of their equipment.

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence said the mission had achieved “the enduring territorial defeat of Daesh in Iraq” after “more than a decade of operations, training and capacity building.”

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell described the exit as “the successful conclusion of the military mission that defeated ISIS in Iraq,” and warned that remaining security gaps now lie solely with the Iraqi state.

Officials say the International coalition’s departure will leave Iraq to confront residual ISIS cells and Iran‑aligned militias that continue to threaten national sovereignty.

In honour of the withdrawal, Iraq announced four “Sovereignty Days” will be observed as a national holiday, with officials pledging to disarm the militias and curb external influence.

The last draws mirror previous American‑UK withdrawals in 2011 and 2013, yet this movement comes amid a heightened security environment following the U.S. and Israel’s campaign against Iran.