US completes Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq against ISIS

September 30, 2026 at 01:18 PM2 min

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The United States and coalition partners officially ended Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq on September 30, 2026, withdrawing forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the 12-year campaign defeated ISIS as an organized military threat. The move follows the September 2024 US-Iraq agreement and the September 28 handover of all coalition bases to Iraqi authorities.

Key Facts

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the official end of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq on September 30, 2026.
All coalition bases in Iraq were handed over to Iraqi authorities on September 28, 2026, according to Iraqi security spokesman Saad Maan.
The US and Iraq agreed in September 2024 to end the international mission against ISIS and begin withdrawing troops.
About 2,500 American troops remained in Iraq as of September 2024, AP reported.
The US military presence in Iraq peaked at 170,000 troops in 2007.

Official Announcement

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the United States and coalition partners officially completed Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq in accordance with the September 2024 joint US-Iraq statement and US national interests. He described the 12-year campaign as successfully defeating ISIS as an organized military threat in Iraq and the region. Washington expects Iraqi forces, including the Peshmerga, to lead further security efforts against ISIS remnants and pro-Iranian armed groups. The US will continue to cooperate with Iraq to prevent ISIS resurgence and provide targeted training and intelligence assistance.

Withdrawal Timeline

In September 2024, the US announced the end of the international mission in Iraq and the start of troop withdrawal, with about 2,500 American troops remaining at that time. In mid-August 2026, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi called September 30 a fixed and final date for ending the Global Coalition's military mission. On September 28, 2026, Iraqi security spokesman Saad Maan announced that the US-led coalition had handed over all its bases in Iraq to the country's authorities. Maan said that after September 30, no combat or training units of the coalition would remain in Iraq.

US Military Presence History

The US entered Iraq in 2003 under Operation Shock and Awe against Saddam Hussein. The American contingent peaked at 170,000 troops in 2007, according to AP. The Obama administration reduced troop numbers, leaving a small presence by December 2011. In 2014, the US returned troops at Iraq's request due to the rise of ISIS, and the combat mission officially ended in 2021.