Mission Over, ISIS Over?

U.S. Air Force tanker aircraft on display at an airfield — Photo: Jordan Tan / Shutterstock

The United States and its partners formally ended the 12-year counter-ISIS mission in Iraq as the last troops and equipment departed Erbil Air Base, handing security lead to Iraqi forces.

Story Highlights

Pentagon says Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq is formally concluded and withdrawal is complete.
Final departure point was Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq, closing the Iraq-based mission.
Move follows a 2024 U.S.-Iraq agreement to wind down the mission by the end of 2026.
Iraq now carries primary responsibility for ISIS remnants and Iran-aligned militias.

Pentagon Confirms Formal End To Iraq Mission

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the orderly departure from Erbil marked the successful conclusion of the mission that defeated the Islamic State group in Iraq. He stated the United States and coalition partners formally ended Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, describing the drawdown as organized and complete. This announcement caps a 12-year campaign that backed Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga with training, intelligence, and precision strikes to crush the so-called caliphate and prevent its return.

Reports from multiple outlets identified Erbil Air Base as the final departure site for U.S. personnel and equipment inside Iraq. Coverage noted that the last movements out of Erbil closed the Iraq-based part of the coalition’s mission, which was created in 2014 when ISIS overran large parts of Iraq and Syria. That footprint steadily shrank as Iraqi forces took back ground and reduced ISIS into scattered cells across remote areas and urban hideouts.

Departure Tracks 2024 U.S.–Iraq Agreement

Officials framed the exit as part of a planned transition agreed to by Washington and Baghdad in 2024. Reporting says the withdrawal met the timeline set in a joint statement that aimed to wind down the mission by the end of 2026. That path shifted the relationship toward a normal security partnership, with Iraq in the lead and the United States providing support through more routine channels outside the country when needed.

The Pentagon and partners emphasized that the drawdown was not an emergency move, but a step-by-step handoff reached with Iraq’s government. The plan unfolded over the past year with unit rotations, base closures, and logistics convoys that cleared out personnel and gear. Officials highlighted that the exit honored Iraqi sovereignty while keeping channels open for training, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism coordination as requested by Baghdad.

Iraq Assumes Lead Against Residual Threats

Parnell said Iraq now holds primary responsibility for security, including dealing with ISIS remnants and militias aligned with Iran. Iraqi Security Forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga are set to lead operations on their soil, while the United States and coalition partners support through established diplomatic and defense ties. The message underscored that Baghdad is in charge of day-to-day security decisions and that the mission inside Iraq has ended.

US Leaves Iraq
Bases Empty, Including Kurdistan

The last American troops walked out of Erbil Air Base today, closing a 12-year counter-ISIS mission and ending the U.S. military footprint across all of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region.

Pentagon and CENTCOM confirmed an… pic.twitter.com/uBPqV0zFln

— Orlando Andy Wilson (@artfulgypzy) September 30, 2026

Regional reporting placed the end of the mission within a wider security picture that remains complex. Outlets noted continued tensions with Iran and its allied groups, even as Iraq declares a new era of sovereignty. Analysts also pointed out that ISIS has lost its territories but still operates as a covert network that probes for gaps in local defenses. Those facts explain why continued training and intelligence cooperation remain important for long-term stability.

What This Means For U.S. Interests And Allies

The end of the Iraq mission reduces exposure for American troops while respecting Iraq’s right to control its own security. That aligns with conservative priorities to avoid endless deployments, demand clear goals, and ensure partners carry their share. It also keeps the United States focused on core threats and strong deterrence. Supporters argue this shift protects American lives, saves taxpayer dollars, and keeps pressure on terrorists by backing capable local forces.

For Kurdish partners who fought bravely against ISIS, U.S. officials signaled that cooperation continues through established channels. The same goes for Iraq’s federal forces, which now own the fight at home. The coalition’s long campaign helped break ISIS, and today’s handoff sets a higher bar for Baghdad to maintain gains. If terror groups test the lines, Iraq’s forces will be first to respond, with partners ready to help through agreed means if requested.

A Long War Chapter Closes, Vigilance Endures

The official end of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq closes a hard chapter that began when ISIS seized cities and terrorized civilians. The coalition’s support helped free millions and restore key ground to lawful authorities. With Erbil now quiet, the United States turns to a steadier role that limits risk while defending American interests and allies. The mission is over in Iraq, but the commitment to stop terrorism and resist hostile militias remains firm.

Officials stressed that the withdrawal from Iraq does not change America’s resolve to disrupt ISIS networks wherever they try to regroup. The focus now is smarter engagement, not permanent garrisons. That approach reflects lessons learned: support partners, hit threats with precision, and keep faith with those who fought beside us. The flag leaves Erbil on schedule, and responsibility rests where it should—on Iraq’s elected government and its forces.