U.S. Central Command said all American and coalition forces left Erbil Air Base on September 30, ending the 12-year anti-ISIS mission in Iraq.
Story Highlights
- Pentagon confirmed the formal end of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.
- Departure follows a U.S.-Iraq transition plan announced in 2024.
- Officials say ISIS no longer poses an organized military threat in Iraq.
- Counterterrorism efforts continue outside Iraq, including in Syria.
What Ended And When
U.S. Central Command reported the orderly departure of personnel and equipment from Erbil Air Base on September 30. The command said the withdrawal marked the end of Operation Inherent Resolve’s mission in Iraq after 12 years. This announcement set a clear finish line for the Iraq-based part of the campaign against the Islamic State group. Major news outlets reported the same outcome that day, citing the final exit from Erbil as the key marker.
The Pentagon’s chief spokesman stated that the United States and coalition partners formally concluded the mission in Iraq. That statement tied the move to the September 2024 U.S.-Iraq joint plan to transition to a different security relationship. The timing matched the public timetable. Coverage by several outlets underscored that coalition troops and gear left Erbil in line with the announced deadline, closing the Iraq chapter of the effort.
How Officials Framed The Outcome
Pentagon statements described the campaign as successful against ISIS as an organized military force. Officials said the coalition helped Iraqi forces defeat ISIS’s hold on cities and networks. The message highlighted a milestone, not a claim that all threats are gone. It focused on the end of a specific mission in a specific place. The detailed troop or equipment counts for the final lift were not included in the public statements cited in reports.
News reports and official messages stressed that the Iraq withdrawal does not equal a total end to counterterrorism operations in the region. Reporting said the coalition mission structure is shifting to Jordan. U.S. operations against ISIS-linked targets in Syria will continue. That means the fight has changed shape rather than stopped everywhere. This pattern mirrors earlier drawdowns, where forces left one theater but kept pressure on extremists nearby.
Why This Matters At Home
The end of the Iraq mission touches concerns on both sides of U.S. politics. Many Americans see a long war that drained lives and dollars while Washington missed hard choices at home. Some fear the exit could reduce U.S. leverage over Iran-backed groups. Others welcome an end to another open-ended mission in the Middle East. Both views share a worry that elites manage wars without clear goals while working families face rising costs and fewer chances.
US MILITARY COMPLETES WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ
Last US troops left an air base in northern Iraq by the 30 Sep deadline, ending the 12-year anti-ISIS mission. Trump hailed the exit; Iraq declared "Sovereignty Day".
🟡 Comes amid US-Iran tensions + live Hormuz talks — a region that…
— Willow Whispers (@willowwhis22170) September 30, 2026
Policy makers now face two tests. First, can Iraqi forces hold the line against ISIS cells without U.S. troops on their soil? Second, can the United States keep terrorist pressure low from bases outside Iraq while focusing resources at home? Leaders say the plan honors Iraqi sovereignty and preserves regional security. The coming months will show whether this transition keeps faith with troops who served and with citizens who want competent, accountable government.
Sources:
washingtonexaminer.com, sana.sy, thenationalnews.com, cbsnews.com
