UK: Coalition Mission in Iraq Concludes After Peshmerga, Iraqi Forces Defeat Daesh
London says Iraqi Security Forces and Peshmerga secured Daesh’s (ISIS) territorial defeat as Coalition forces, including UK personnel, depart and UK-Iraq security ties enter a new phase
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The United Kingdom said Wednesday that the Global Coalition’s military mission against "Daesh" (ISIS) in Iraq has successfully concluded, crediting the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Kurdistan Region Peshmerga with securing the group’s enduring territorial defeat as Coalition forces, including British personnel, depart the country.
In a statement published by the UK Ministry of Defence, London said the conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve follows more than a decade of military operations, training and capacity building, during which Iraqi forces and the Peshmerga developed the capabilities needed to take primary responsibility for Iraq’s security.
The UK said the transition to new security arrangements led by the Iraqi government marks the beginning of a new chapter focused on enduring security cooperation under Iraqi leadership.
“The ISF has bolstered security across Iraq, enabling the return of essential services and supporting the recovery of communities affected by conflict,” the statement said.
UK to deepen bilateral defense ties
Despite the conclusion of the Coalition’s military mission, the UK said its commitment to Iraq’s security and stability would continue through an enduring bilateral defense partnership.
The partnership will focus on counter-terrorism cooperation, military education, capability development, defense industrial collaboration and advancing shared security interests, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Operation Inherent Resolve was established in 2014 to advise, assist and enable partner forces in securing the lasting defeat of "Daesh". The Global Coalition against "Daesh" comprises 90 partners, according to the UK statement.
The UK said its military contribution, known as Operation SHADER, played a significant role throughout the Coalition campaign.
British forces provided training and assistance to more than 111,000 members of the ISF, including more than 21,000 Peshmerga personnel, in areas including infantry, weapons maintenance, counter-improvised explosive devices, medical support and engineering.
The Royal Air Force also conducted thousands of sorties against "Daesh" targets, striking more than 2,300 targets while providing surveillance and reconnaissance in support of ISF ground operations.
The UK Ministry of Defence paid tribute to British personnel who served as part of the Global Coalition and said London would continue supporting efforts to counter "Daesh" and its violent ideology through the continuation of Operation SHADER.
Britain will also continue coordinating Coalition communications aimed at countering "Daesh" propaganda and strengthening resilience against terrorist messaging.
The conclusion of the Coalition’s military mission comes as Iraq moves toward a security framework centered on its own armed forces and institutions, while international partners shift from a multinational military campaign to longer-term bilateral security and defense cooperation.
The transition also comes as Iraq seeks to strengthen its sovereign security institutions while navigating a complex regional environment shaped by ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran and the activities of Iran-aligned armed groups across the region.
The shift from the Coalition’s military mission to bilateral security partnerships is expected to place greater emphasis on Iraq’s own security capabilities, while allowing international partners to maintain cooperation with Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region through longer-term defense, counter-terrorism and institutional support.