US-led coalition withdraws from Iraq after 12-year Daesh fight

The United States and its coalition partners have formally concluded their military mission in Iraq under Operation Inherent Resolve, the Pentagon said on Wednesday, marking the transition to an Iraqi-led security effort and a bilateral defence relationship.

Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said the “orderly departure” of coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base marked the successful conclusion of the mission to defeat Daesh as an organised military threat in Iraq.

The move was in line with a September 2024 US-Iraq agreement to end the coalition’s military mission in Iraq by the end of September 2026.

“This milestone reflects the success of a 12-year campaign that defeated Daesh as an organised military threat in Iraq and across the region,” Parnell said.

He said Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga in the Kurdistan region, would now lead efforts to contain remaining Daesh elements.

The US will continue providing targeted training and intelligence support to its Iraqi partners.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the departure from Erbil was part of a planned transition to a bilateral US-Iraq defence relationship.

The Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve remains operational but is now headquartered in Jordan, while US forces continue counter-Daesh operations in Syria alongside coalition partners and the Syrian government.

Parnell said the remaining security challenges, including Daesh remnants and Iran-aligned militias, were now primarily the responsibility of the Iraqi government, while Washington remained committed to preventing ISIS from rebuilding its capabilities in Iraq.

The US-led coalition was formed in 2014 after Daesh seized large parts of Iraq and Syria.

It provided Iraqi forces with air support, intelligence and training during operations against the group.

Iraq declared victory over Daesh and full control of its territory in December 2017.