Last UK, US Troops Depart Iraq: Operation Inherent Resolve Ends

Wed Sep 30 2026 23:59:32 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Britain and the United States withdraw their final forces from Iraq, ending the decade‑long Operation Inherent Resolve after the defeat of ISIS.

The last rough hundred British and American soldiers have left Iraq, ending a decade‑long mission that began in 2014 to defeat the Islamic State. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi said the withdrawal marks a return of full responsibility for security to Iraq’s own forces and will be celebrated with four national Sovereignty Days. The Ministry of Defence praised the coalition’s work in training Iraq’s security forces and praised the nation’s capacity to guard its own borders. The exit also raises questions over how Baghdad will handle remaining Iranian‑backed militias that might gain influence now that U.S. troops are gone.

Last UK, US Troops Depart Iraq: Operation Inherent Resolve Ends

After more than a decade, the final contingent of British and American soldiers has left Iraqi air base at Erbil, marking the conclusion of the international coalition effort that began in 2014 to crush the insurgent group known as ISIS.

Around 100 UK troops were among the last to depart, coordinated with U.S. forces that also wrapped up their mission on the same day. The withdrawal follows a bilateral agreement signed two years ago between the United States and the Iraqi government to remove foreign troops by the end of September.

Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi praised the coalition’s long‑term contribution, calling Iraq’s transition to full security responsibility a historic moment and announcing four Sovereignty Days to celebrate the new chapter.

The UK Ministry of Defence highlighted training of over 111,000 Iraqi Security Forces members, including more than 21,000 Peshmerga fighters, and the RAF’s thousands of sorties that struck more than 2,300 ISIS targets. While the U.S. will continue “targeted training and intelligence support” for Iraq’s partners, the coalition’s main taskforce is now based in Jordan and will keep a presence in Syria to fend off remaining ISIS pockets.

The exit has brought attention to the challenge of Iranian‑backed militias that might strengthen their hold in Iraq’s volatile political climate. President al‑Zaidi has vowed to draw all such groups’ weapons under state control, but some powerful factions could expand influence with the U.S. retreat.

The historic moment also echoes earlier U.S. and U.K. withdrawals in 2011 and their return in 2014 following the rise of ISIS, illustrating the cyclical nature of foreign military involvement in the region.