CENTCOM Declares Completion of US Withdrawal From Iraq

Washington, September 30, 2026 : US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Wednesday the completion of the orderly departure of US forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base, marking the end of the Operation Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq.

Withdrawal Part of Planned Transition to Bilateral Relationship

In a statement, CENTCOM said the departure from Iraq forms part of a planned transition to a bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Iraq, with US forces continuing the counter-ISIS mission in Syria alongside Coalition partners and the Syrian government.

Task Force Credited for Years of Counter-ISIS Operations

The statement added that Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve has advised, assisted, and enabled partner forces in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria since CENTCOM established the unit in 2014.

Cooper Says ISIS No Longer Poses Systemic Threat

CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said ISIS no longer poses a systemic threat to Iraq's national security, adding that Iraqi security forces now possess the capacity, leadership, and operational independence to unilaterally manage threats to their homeland. He said US and Coalition forces stationed across the region will remain ready to respond to any future ISIS threats.

Withdrawal Process Began Last Year

American and Coalition forces began departing federal Iraq last October as part of a transition that culminated in the removal of personnel and equipment from Erbil Air Base in September. Located in northern Iraq, Erbil Air Base served as the main operational hub for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, hosting most of the 1,500 American and Coalition forces supporting counter-ISIS operations.

Iraqi PM Declares New Security Phase

Earlier Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al Zaidi announced the official completion of the international Coalition's mission to fight ISIS in Iraq, marking the country's transition to a new phase in which Iraqi forces and institutions assume full responsibility for security and stability, alongside a shift to bilateral cooperation with Coalition countries in security, military, and training fields.

Source: QNA