Iraqis celebrate end of US-led coalition mission after 12 years
Large crowds gathered on Baghdad's Palestine Street on Wednesday to celebrate the withdrawal of US-led international coalition forces from Iraq after 12 years.
Footage from Viory showed demonstrators carrying Hezbollah Brigades flags and images of Iranian and Hezbollah figures. Participant Sheikh Jassim Al-Saadi described the withdrawal as a “day of great victory”, saying it represented the restoration of Iraqi sovereignty.
“Our goal is to drive the enemy out of our country,” fellow participant Azhar Abdul-Zahra said, describing the withdrawal as a moment of “immense joy”.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi announced on Wednesday the official end of the international coalition's mission against ISIS in Iraq. The Pentagon also confirmed the end of the Iraq-based mission under Operation Inherent Resolve following the withdrawal of coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base.
US President Donald Trump welcomed the development, calling it “a victory for the United States, a victory for Iraq, and a decisive victory over ISIS”.
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Baghdad and Washington agreed in 2024 to phase out the coalition's military mission, with the remaining forces scheduled to leave Iraq by September 30, 2026.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
