U.S. military declares end of anti-ISIS Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq

Key Points:

• The U.S. military officially ended its Iraq-based anti-ISIS mission on September 30, withdrawing all coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base, marking the conclusion of a 12-year campaign that defeated ISIS as an organized military threat in Iraq and the region.
• The transition shifts security responsibility to Iraqi forces, including the Peshmerga, with the U.S. pledging continued targeted training and intelligence support, while ISIS remnants and Iran-backed militias remain ongoing security challenges.
• Iraq celebrated the withdrawal as "Sovereignty Day," but concerns persist among minority groups and analysts about the Iraqi government's ability to control Iran-backed militias and maintain security without U.S. military presence.
• The U.S.-Iran conflict and regional instability add complexity to Iraq's security environment, with Iran-backed militias having launched hundreds of attacks on U.S. interests in Iraq in 2026 and a planned disarmament of these groups delayed until mid-2027.
• Kurdish leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining a bilateral security agreement with the U.S. to ensure continued stability and counterbalance Iran-aligned militias in the region.