US Officially Declares End of 'Operation Inherent Resolve' in Iraq

The U.S. Department of Defense, commonly known as the Pentagon, officially announced on Wednesday the conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve against the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq, affirming its continued provision of training and intelligence support to Iraqi authorities.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Barnell stated in a press release that “the United States and its coalition partners are formally concluding Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, in accordance with the joint U.S.-Iraqi statement issued in September 2024.”

Barnell added that this orderly withdrawal of coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base marks a “successful conclusion” to the military mission that defeated ISIS in Iraq.

He explained that this step represents a “significant milestone” in the success of a 12-year campaign to eliminate ISIS as an organized military threat in Iraq and the broader region, marking a transition from a “wartime coalition mission” to a security effort led by Iraq, supported by a stable and normalized bilateral security relationship.

He stated that Washington expects Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga and other security forces in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to take the lead in ongoing efforts to secure Iraq and counter ISIS remnants.

He emphasized that the United States remains committed to counterterrorism and will continue working with Iraq and its partners to ensure that ISIS does not regroup from Iraqi territory.