Last UK and US troops leave Iraq as anti-Islamic State mission ends
The US and UK have officially ended their military mission in Iraq, transferring full security responsibility to Iraqi forces. This concludes a decade-long presence focused on defeating the Islamic State.
Why it matters
The withdrawal marks a significant geopolitical shift in the Middle East and the end of a major international coalition operation.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Iraq's security forces have now assumed full responsibility for the nation's security following confirmation of the US and UK withdrawal
The last British and American troops have left Iraq after a military presence of more than a decade in the country.
The exit of the remaining UK military personnel - around 100 - from Irbil, in the northern Kurdistan region, was co-ordinated over recent weeks with US forces, who also departed on Wednesday.
It follows an agreement between the US and the Iraqi government, signed two years ago, to withdraw foreign troops by the end of this month.
British and US forces have been present in Iraq since 2014, as part of the international coalition to help defeat the extremist Islamic State (IS) group. Their departure brings the mission, known as Operation Inherent Resolve, to an end.
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