US Coalition Hands Over All Iraq Military Bases to Iraqi Forces

The international coalition has finished transferring every base to Iraq’s army. Officials say no coalition combat or training troops will stay in the country after September 30.

Iraq military bases are now fully back in Iraqi hands. The international coalition led by the United States has completed the transfer, said Saad Maan, head of the press service for Iraq’s security bodies.

Coalition Completes the Handover

Maan spoke to the TV channel Al Jazeera about the final step.

“The international coalition handed all military bases and headquarters to the Iraqi authorities. After September 30, there will be no combat or training forces of the coalition left in Iraq,” Maan told Al Jazeera.

Iraqi Forces Ready to Take Over Security

Maan stressed that Iraqi troops are ready to secure the whole country once coalition forces leave. He added that ties with coalition states will now follow a bilateral model.

September 30 Set as the Final Deadline

Iraqi authorities have said many times that September 30 is the final date for the troop withdrawal. The date now marks the end of the coalition’s military presence on Iraq military bases.

How the Coalition Began in 2014

The United States started the coalition in 2014 to fight the terrorist group Islamic State, which is banned in Russia. In August of that year, Washington launched Operation Inherent Resolve against jihadists in Iraq and Syria. More than 60 countries joined the alliance. It acted without direct approval from the UN Security Council.