American Forces Leave Iraq as Washington Ends Long-Running Anti-ISIS Mission

The United States has completed the withdrawal of its military personnel and equipment from Iraq, bringing the Iraq-based phase of Operation Inherent Resolve to an end after more than a decade of counter-ISIS operations.

U.S. Central Command announced on September 30 that the final departure from Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq had been completed. Erbil had served as the main operational hub for the U.S.-led coalition’s mission in Iraq and hosted a large portion of the American and coalition personnel supporting operations against ISIS.

The withdrawal follows a planned transition between Washington and Baghdad. American and coalition forces had already begun leaving federal Iraq in the earlier stages of the process, with the remaining personnel and equipment eventually concentrated at Erbil before the final departure.

Operation Inherent Resolve was established in 2014 as an international military effort against ISIS after the group captured significant territory across Iraq and Syria. Over the years, coalition forces worked with Iraqi and Kurdish security forces by providing military assistance, training, intelligence and operational support.

The U.S. military said the conclusion of its Iraq mission reflects the increased ability of Iraqi security forces to manage threats within the country. CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said Iraqi forces now have the capacity and operational independence to address security threats without the direct presence of U.S. troops.

The end of the Iraq mission does not mean that U.S. counter-ISIS operations across the region have stopped. The Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve remains active and has moved its headquarters to Jordan. U.S. forces will continue supporting counter-ISIS operations in Syria alongside coalition partners and the Syrian government.

Washington is also expected to maintain a defence relationship with Baghdad after the military withdrawal. The relationship is moving away from the coalition’s Iraq-based operational structure toward bilateral defence cooperation, including targeted training and intelligence support.

The departure marks another major stage in the long history of U.S. military involvement in Iraq. American forces initially entered Iraq in 2003 and later withdrew in 2011. They returned in 2014 after ISIS emerged as a major security threat, beginning the military campaign that has now formally concluded in Iraq.

For Baghdad, the withdrawal places greater responsibility for national security on Iraqi institutions and security forces. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al Zaidi has described the end of the international coalition mission as the beginning of a new phase in which Iraq assumes full responsibility for its security and expands bilateral cooperation with former coalition partners.

The U.S. departure also comes as Iraq continues to deal with security challenges, including ISIS remnants and armed groups operating within the country. The transition therefore changes the structure of international military involvement rather than eliminating the broader security concerns facing Iraq.

With the final U.S. personnel and equipment now out of Erbil, the Iraq chapter of Operation Inherent Resolve has formally closed. The focus will now shift toward Iraqi-led security operations, bilateral defence cooperation and continued regional efforts to prevent an ISIS resurgence.