Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji announced on Thursday the end of the coalition forces' combat mission and their withdrawal from Iraq.

Al-Araji said the last round of dialogue with the coalition, which began last year, has now ended and noted that the coalition forces' combat mission is over, announcing their official withdrawal from Iraq.

He also declared that relations with the international coalition will continue in the confines of training, consultations, and support.

اليوم أنهينا جولة الحوار الأخيرة مع التحالف الدولي والتي بدأناها في العام الماضي، لنعلن رسميا انتهاء المهام القتالية لقوات التحالف وانسحابها من العراق، وستستمر العلاقة مع التحالف الدولي في مجال التدريب والاستشارة والتمكين.

— قاسم الاعرجي (@qassimalaraji) December 9, 2021

The head of the Security Media Cell, Major General Saad Maan, stressed that a meeting including a number of military officials took place, adding that the coalition will shift to non-combat missions by the end of the year, according to the agreement.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi had said before he visited Washington on July 25 that Iraq and the United States have been engaged in dialogue as part of a special working group focused on Iraq during the past year that discusses the basis of relations between the two countries in the aftermath of the US withdrawal. 

Al-Kadhimi told Associated Press at the time that the Iraqi army and security forces can protect the country and confront ISIS remnants.