The US has completed its troop withdrawal from Iraq, marking the end of a 12-year mission to combat ISIS. The withdrawal follows a joint statement from the US and Iraq in September 2024, which set a timetable for the mission to conclude by September 2026.
What happened
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced that Operation Inherent Resolve had "formally concluded" in Iraq, with troops and equipment departing Erbil Air Base in Northern Iraq. The Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve has relocated to Jordan and will continue anti-ISIS efforts in Syria. The US will provide targeted training and intelligence support to Iraqi partners, but the Iraqi government must now take responsibility for addressing remaining security challenges, including ISIS remnants and Iran-aligned militias.
Some groups, particularly in the Kurdistan Region, have expressed concerns about security without a US military presence. The Kurdistan Region's Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs noted that the region has suffered over 1,000 drone and missile strikes since the US conflict with Iran began, resulting in injuries, material damage, and deaths. The ministry also highlighted the lack of an alternative air defense system in the region, which is "deeply concerning."
Despite these concerns, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has welcomed the withdrawal, saying it marks a "new phase" of Iraqi sovereignty. The US has reiterated its support for a strong, sovereign Iraq that can secure its borders and protect its people.
