By Al-Fassel | 2026-10-02

On September 30, the US military formally ended its 12-year mission in Iraq against the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS).

All American forces and equipment departed Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve and a transition "to a US-Iraq bilateral defense relationship," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

In 2014, coalition troops were deployed to Iraq and Syria to fight (ISIS), halting the group's brutal massacres.

ISIS suffered decisive territorial defeats in Iraq by 2017 and Syria by 2019, yet US forces remained steadfast, committed to neutralizing its persistent remnants.

Successful mission and transition

This orderly departure signifies the clear success of a military effort to eliminate ISIS, underscoring Iraq's own national security capabilities.

With American forces transitioning into a support role, Iraqi and Peshmerga forces are now assuming full operational independence to manage internal threats.

This shift represents an evolution from a wartime coalition into a long-term bilateral defense partnership.

The US has handed full primary responsibility for Iraq's security to the government while US troops in the region will maintain "vigilance and readiness" in strengthening regional security, said Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said a new phase has begun, defined by Iraq's sovereignty, the strength of its institutions and the readiness of its forces.

The move is the result of years of negotiations and shared sacrifice designed to prevent a power vacuum in the region.

US leadership emphasizes that this transition is a shift in posture rather than a departure from the theater.

The focus has moved toward sustained counter-terrorism efforts, with Washington continuing to provide intelligence, training and strategic air support to ensure regional stability.

Ensuring stability through continued engagement

A stable, sovereign and capable Iraq remains a vital cornerstone for broader stability across the entire Middle East region.

By recalibrating the focus toward diplomatic, intelligence and economic support, the United States aims to strengthen its role as a regional counterweight.

This strategy seeks to foster commercial ties and political independence, steering the region toward long-term stability and distancing it from the influence of malign powers.

Iraqi partners across the political spectrum, from Shia leadership to Kurds and Sunnis, recognize the United States as a pivotal economic lifeline.

Analysts view that Iran-backed militias celebrating this transition are operating under a dangerous miscalculation, exposing themselves as impediments to true stability.

With the combat mission concluded, the Iraqi government now holds the initiative to strip these factions of the pretext they use to justify their illicit arsenals.

The United States maintains a watchful presence, prepared to respond should the threat from malign external actors reemerge.