US and UK forces complete decade‑long withdrawal from Iraq

The last US and British troops left the northern Iraqi city of Irbil on Sept. 30, ending Operation Inherent Resolve.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 30 Sep 2026 13:52:29 GMT

The United States and the United Kingdom announced on Sept. 30, 2026 that their remaining troops have left Iraq, ending a mission that began in 2014.

What happened

Both outlets report that the final US contingent departed from an air base in Irbil, the semi‑autonomous Kurdish region, on Wednesday. The British side withdrew around 100 personnel from the same city over the preceding weeks, coordinated with the US exit.

What the reports add

Reuters, cited by the New York Post, noted that the US departure was described by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell as an “orderly” exit that marks a shift from a wartime coalition to an Iraqi‑led security effort. The BBC added that the British Ministry of Defence highlighted the role of Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga in securing the defeat of Daesh and that Iraq will observe four “Sovereignty Days” as a national holiday.

What was said

Sean Parnell told Reuters, “This milestone reflects the success of a 12‑year campaign that defeated ISIS as an organized military threat in Iraq and across the region.” The BBC quoted Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi saying the end of the coalition’s mission marks “Iraq’s transition to a phase in which it assumes full responsibility for its security and stability.” The UK Ministry of Defence said, “Following more than a decade of operations, training and capacity building, Iraqi Security Forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga have secured the enduring territorial defeat of Daesh in Iraq and are now well placed to take primary responsibility for the country’s security.”

How it came about

The withdrawal fulfills a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad to pull foreign troops out by the end of September 2026, a development first reported by Felo News on Sept. 15 in its coverage of the impending US exit (Iraq’s US Troop Withdrawal Highlights Militia Defiance). Earlier this month, Felo also noted Kurdish concerns about the loss of US air‑defence assets (US Troops Exit Iraq, Militias Refuse to Disarm). The coordinated US‑UK departure closes the coalition known as Operation Inherent Resolve, which was launched to defeat the Islamic State group.

Key facts

The final US troops left an air base in Irbil on Sept. 30, 2026. (nypost.com)
Around 100 British personnel also withdrew from Irbil, completing the UK’s presence. (bbc.co.uk)
The withdrawal ends Operation Inherent Resolve, the coalition effort against ISIS. (bbc.co.uk)
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell described the exit as orderly and a transition to an Iraqi‑led security effort. (nypost.com)
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi said the exit marks Iraq’s transition to full security responsibility. (bbc.co.uk)

Timeline

2024-09-30 — US‑Iraq agreement to withdraw foreign troops by end of September 2026
2026-09-15 — Felo News reported on upcoming US troop withdrawal and militia concerns
2026-09-30 — Final US and UK troops leave Iraq