The United States military completed its withdrawal from Iraq on Wednesday, ending Operation Inherent Resolve and closing a chapter that began with the 2003 invasion. All coalition forces and equipment departed from Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq, marking the conclusion of a 12-year campaign against the Islamic State terrorist organization.

Mission Accomplished After Decade-Long Campaign

Department of Defense spokesman Sean Parnell announced the orderly departure represents the successful conclusion of military operations that defeated ISIS as an organized military threat in Iraq and across the region. The mission, launched in 2014, confronted the terrorist group that emerged from al-Qaeda remnants and seized vast territories across Iraq and Syria. Videos circulated on social media showed military convoys transporting American equipment out of the northern base.

The withdrawal follows a 2024 joint agreement between Washington and Baghdad that prescribed ending the multi-country coalition by 2025 and wrapping up Operation Inherent Resolve by September 30, 2026. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the timeline during July meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the Pentagon. Roughly 1,500 American troops previously stationed in Syria withdrew earlier this year as part of the phased departure.

Iraq Celebrates While Concerns Remain

Baghdad declared September 30 as Sovereignty Day, launching a three-day national holiday with nationwide celebrations. Government spokesman Sabah al-Numan insisted Iraqi security forces stand fully capable of maintaining peace and stability independently. The transition shifts primary responsibility for addressing remaining security challenges, including ISIS remnants and Iran-aligned militias, to the Iraqi government. Al-Zaidi promised to disband Iran-backed militias by June 2027 after missing an initial September 2026 deadline.

Despite official optimism, religious and ethnic minority groups express serious doubts about Baghdad’s ability to maintain security without American military presence. Parnell stated the United States expects Iraqi Security Forces, including Kurdish Peshmerga units, to lead continuing efforts suppressing ISIS remnants. The transition moves from a wartime coalition mission to a bilateral security relationship, with America providing targeted training and intelligence support to Iraqi partners.

What This Means

The withdrawal marks the formal end of American military deployment that transformed Iraq over 23 years. Washington maintains its commitment to counterterrorism cooperation, ensuring ISIS cannot reconstitute from Iraqi territory. However, questions persist about whether Iraqi forces can independently counter both terrorist remnants and Iranian-backed militias that threaten national sovereignty and regional stability. The shift tests whether Iraq can secure itself without sustained American military presence on the ground.