Iraqi Prime Minister Confirms Complete Pull Out of Int'l Troops From Country

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi said on Wednesday that the military contingent of the US-led international coalition has completely withdrawn from the country, and that Iraqi forces are capable of countering terrorism on their own.

"The Coalition have fully completed their combat role after transfer of personnel and material outside Iraq. Going forward, their role will be to advise and assist our security forces per the outcome of the Strategic Dialogue," Al-Kadhimi wrote on Twitter.

The official thanked the coalition and added that the Iraqi armed forces are ready to protect the people against Daesh*.

We thank the leadership of the Coalition, it’s members, our partners and neighbors in combating Daish and reaffirm that our security forces stand ready to defend our people.

— Mustafa Al-Kadhimi مصطفى الكاظمي (@MAKadhimi) December 29, 2021

On December 22, spokesman for Iraq's Joint Operations Command Tahsin al-Khafaji said that combat units of the international coalition had left the country except for military advisers who stayed in Iraq. The withdrawal of troops was completed ahead of the December 31 deadline.

In late August, US President Joe Biden said that after December 31, American troops will switch to training Iraqi forces and assisting them in fighting what remains of Daesh.

*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia and many other states