US Officially Announces Conclusion of Operation "Resolute Support" in Iraq

Washington, Sept 30 (KUNA) -- The U.S. Department of Defense (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 Barnhill said in a statement that “the United States and its coalition partners are formally concluding Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, in line with the joint U.S.-Iraqi statement issued in September 2024.” Barnhill 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 clarified that this step represents a “milestone” in the success of a 12-year campaign to eliminate ISIS as an organized military threat in Iraq and the broader region, and marks 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 affirmed that the U.S. Department of Defense will continue to provide specialized training and intelligence support to Iraqi security authorities. He emphasized that the United States remains committed to counterterrorism and will continue to work with Iraq and its partners to ensure that ISIS cannot regroup from Iraqi territory. (End) A.M.M. / T.M.A.