UK-Iraqi security cooperation is set to enter a new phase, as the
Global Coalition's military mission against Daesh in Iraq,
Operation Inherent Resolve, successfully concludes and its forces
- including UK personnel - depart.
Following more than a decade of operations, training and capacity
building, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and the Kurdish Peshmerga
have secured the enduring territorial defeat of Daesh in Iraq and
are now well placed to take primary responsibility for the
country's security.
As part of the transition to new security arrangements led by the
Government of Iraq, Coalition forces, including UK personnel,
have departed.
The ISF has bolstered security across Iraq, enabling the return
of essential services and supporting the recovery of communities
affected by conflict. With these objectives achieved, Iraq and
its international partners can begin a new chapter focused on
enduring security cooperation under Iraqi leadership.
The UK will continue to support Iraq's security and stability,
working closely with Iraqi partners to develop an enduring
bilateral defence partnership.
Operation Inherent Resolve was established in 2014 to advise,
assist and enable partner forces to secure the lasting defeat of
Daesh and establish enduring security cooperation. This mission
operates under The Global Coalition Against Daesh,
consisting of 90 partners.
During the last decade, the UK has played a leading role through
Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to Operation Inherent
Resolve. At the invitation of the Iraqi government, UK forces
provided valuable support, training and assistance to more than
111,000 members of the ISF, including more than 21,000 of the
Peshmerga, in crucial infantry, weapons maintenance, counter-IED,
medical and engineering skills.
The RAF has also conducted thousands of sorties striking more
than 2300 Daesh targets, as well as providing critical
surveillance and reconnaissance in support of ISF ground
operations.
We pay tribute to the UK personnel who have played their part in
the Global Coalition.Working alongside our global Coalition
partners, the UK remains committed to ensuring the global defeat
of Daesh and its violent ideology including thorough the
continuation of Operation SHADER. Alongside security
partnerships, the UK will continue to lead the coordination of
Coalition communications that counter Daesh propaganda and build
resilience against terrorist messaging.
Our commitment to Iraq and the wider region remains steadfast.
Building on a decade of close cooperation, we look forward to
developing an enduring bilateral defence partnership with Iraq.
This will focus on counter-terrorism cooperation, military
education, capability development, defence industrial
collaboration and advancing our shared security interests.
