BAGHDAD: Troops led by the US have withdrawn from a base near Baghdad which has been a constant target of Iran-backed militias this year. The Taji military base has frequently been hit by rockets since the US killed Qassem Soleimani, then the leader of Iran’s elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis at the turn of the year.
“The movement of coalition military personnel is part of a long-range plan coordinated with the government of Iraq,” the coalition said in a statement, adding Camp Taji has historically held up to 2,000 coalition members, most of whom have departed this summer. An explosion hit a convoy supplying US troops near the base on 11 August while two rockets fell inside the base four days later.
Remaining coalition troops would leave in the coming days after finalising the handing over of equipment to Iraqi security forces. This was the eighth transfer of a coalition portion of an Iraqi base back to Iraqi forces, the coalition said.