British personnel have departed Iraq as the Global Coalition ends its military mission against Daesh in the country, bringing more than a decade of operations under Operation Inherent Resolve to a close, according to the UK Government.
The transition follows an assessment that Iraqi Security Forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga are now able to take primary responsibility for Iraq’s security. Coalition forces, including UK personnel, have left as security arrangements move towards an Iraqi-led model, while Britain plans to continue defence cooperation through a bilateral relationship with Baghdad.
Operation Inherent Resolve was established in 2014 to advise, assist and enable Iraqi partner forces fighting Daesh. The mission operated under the Global Coalition Against Daesh, which brings together 90 partners. Britain’s contribution was delivered through Operation SHADER, under which UK forces provided training, air operations, surveillance and other military support.
Over the past decade, British personnel trained or assisted more than 111,000 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, including more than 21,000 members of the Kurdish Peshmerga. Training covered infantry skills, weapons maintenance, counter-IED work, medical support and engineering.
The RAF also flew thousands of sorties during the campaign, striking more than 2,300 Daesh targets and providing surveillance and reconnaissance in support of Iraqi ground operations. The Government said Iraqi forces had strengthened security across the country, allowing essential services to return and communities affected by the conflict to recover. The conclusion of the coalition mission in Iraq does not mean the end of Operation SHADER. The Government said Britain would continue its contribution to the wider effort against Daesh and remain involved in work intended to counter the group’s propaganda and reduce the spread of extremist messaging.
The Government said: “We pay tribute to the UK personnel who have played their part in the Global Coalition. Working alongside our global Coalition partners, the UK remains committed to ensuring the global defeat of Daesh and its violent ideology including thorough the continuation of Operation SHADER.”
Future UK-Iraq defence cooperation is expected to concentrate on counter-terrorism, military education, capability development and defence industrial collaboration. Britain said it would continue working with Iraqi partners to establish what it described as an enduring bilateral defence partnership.
The Government added: “Our commitment to Iraq and the wider region remains steadfast. Building on a decade of close cooperation, we look forward to developing an enduring bilateral defence partnership with Iraq.”
How long before Iran moves in and takes over?