On August 23, the U.S.-led coalition handed over Camp Taji, one of the largest bases around the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, to Iraqi government forces.
In an official statement, the coalition said the transfer was a result of Iraqi Security Forces’ recent success in the ongoing campaign to defeat ISIS remnants in Iraq.
“This is truly a historic day,” said Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, deputy commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. “For the past six years, Camp Taji has served as a primary installation for Coalition partners to train the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Air Force, and the Qwat al-Khasah. The Coalition’s efforts have enabled the Iraqis to train themselves. From this day forward, the ISF will take full responsibility for the facilities and programs at Tali and continue to use the site to lead and conduct training as part of the mission to defeat Daesh remnants.”
Up to 2,000 troops of the U.S.-led coalition were stationed in Camp Taji. Most of the troops left the camp over the summer.
The U.S.-led coalition said $347 million in equipment and property in Camp Taji, including ammunition, were transferred to the Government of Iraq.
?في معسكر التاجي ، قام قادة التحالف بتسليم ما يعادل قيمته 347 مليون دولار من المنشآت والمعدات الى قوات الأمن العراقية. بفضل النجاحات التي حققتها قوات الأمن العراقية ضد داعش ، تم تسليم الموقع والذي تم التخطيط له منذ فترة طويلة وبالتنسيق مع حكومة العراق ?? @modmiliq @CoalitionAR pic.twitter.com/lY0A6wC6kh
— OIR Spokesman Col. Myles B. Caggins III (@OIRSpox) August 23, 2020
According to the U.S.-led coalition, more than 47,000 Iraqi security personnel were trained at Camp Taji on infantry tactics, marksmanship, operations planning, combat medicine and intelligence analysis.
In the last few months, a series of rocket attacks targeted U.S. troops in Camp Taji. An attack on March 11 claimed the lives of three coalition service members.
Camp Taji is the 8th Iraqi military base to be evacuated by the U.S.-led coalition this year. President Donald Trump informed Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi during his recent visit to Washington that U.S. troops will complete their withdrawal from Iraq in three years.
