U.S. Concludes 12-Year Anti-ISIS Military Mission in Iraq

The United States has officially concluded Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, marking the end of a 12-year military presence that began in 2014. U.S. Central Command announced the withdrawal of forces from Erbil Air Base, describing the transition as orderly. The mission, which aimed to combat the Islamic State, involved billions of dollars in taxpayer funding, with recent reports indicating approximately $11.5 billion enacted for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated that the Islamic State no longer poses a systemic threat to Iraq, noting that local security forces now possess the capacity to manage threats independently. While the U.S. presence in Iraq has ended, the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve remains active, with its headquarters relocated to Jordan. American forces will continue counter-ISIS operations in Syria alongside coalition partners, maintaining a regional presence to respond to potential future threats.