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

September 30, 2026

The final British and American military forces have withdrawn from Iraq, ending a presence that began in 2014 as part of the international coalition against Islamic State. Approximately 100 remaining UK troops departed from Irbil in the Kurdistan region alongside US forces, fulfilling a withdrawal agreement signed two years prior. Iraqi security forces will now assume complete responsibility for the country's security, though they face ongoing challenges from IS remnants and Iranian-backed militias operating within Iraq.

Who is affected

  • British and American troops (approximately 100 UK personnel departing)
  • Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga forces
  • Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and the Iraqi government
  • Hundreds of NATO troops who left Baghdad in March
  • Iranian-backed militias operating in Iraq
  • Islamic State remnants (estimated at several hundred fighters)
  • RAF Regiment Gunners who were among the last stationed personnel

What action is being taken

  • Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga are assuming full responsibility for the country's security
  • Iraq is holding four "Sovereignty Days" as a national holiday to mark the withdrawal
  • The RAF is continuing to fly missions over neighboring Syria to prevent IS remnants from gaining a foothold

Why it matters

  • This withdrawal marks a significant shift in regional security dynamics after more than a decade of Western military presence in Iraq. It represents Iraq's transition to full sovereignty over its security operations, though the country faces substantial challenges from both IS remnants capable of unsophisticated operations and powerful Iranian-backed militias that have resisted government control. The departure of coalition forces could enable these Iran-aligned militias to expand their influence, potentially undermining Iraqi sovereignty and regional stability, particularly given the recent intense attacks on coalition bases during the US-Iran conflict.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC