The United States of America-led coalition fighting the Islamic State has suspended its operations, the Guardian newspaper has reported.
In a statement, the US command said the coalition forces would now focus on protecting US and UK interests against the prospect of an attack by the Islamic Republic of Iran, following the killing of Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian military general.
The announcement came back on the heels of the passing of a motion by the Iraqi legislature that called for the expulsion of US, and other foreign forces from Iraq.
“We have therefore paused these activities, subject to continuous review. We remain resolute as partners of the government of Iraq and the Iraqi people that have welcomed us into their country to help defeat ISIS,” the statement said as quoted by the New York Times.
"We remain ready to return our full attention and efforts back to our shared goal of ensuring the lasting defeat of Daesh," the US command noted.
The killing of Soleimani has been described by security experts as a significant escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
Iran warned that it would exact revenge on the US for the killing of its commander, a man described as the architect of Iran's strategy in the Middle East.