Iraq Marks ‘Sovereignty Day’ as US Forces Complete Withdrawal After More Than Two Decades

Iraq marked its National Sovereignty Day on Wednesday as the United States completed the withdrawal of its remaining forces from the country. The move brought an end to the U.S.-led coalition’s military mission in Iraq, which began in 2014 as part of the campaign against ISIS. Iraqi security forces held military parades in Baghdad and Najaf to mark the occasion.

The withdrawal marks the end of more than two decades of U.S. military involvement in Iraq, which began with the 2003 invasion and included the return of U.S. forces in 2014 at Iraq’s request to fight ISIS. Iraqi authorities said the country will now take primary responsibility for its own security and stability. The United States, however, is expected to continue providing targeted training and intelligence support to its Iraqi partners.