At a Glance

• The Pentagon transferred full national security responsibilities to Iraqi forces and the Peshmerga following a complete drawdown.
• Future defense ties will transition from a wartime coalition into a normalized, bilateral security relationship focused on training and intelligence.
• Spokesman Sean Parnell emphasized that the primary responsibility for suppressing ISIS remnants and countering destabilizing militias now rests with Baghdad.

The Pentagon announced that the United States and its Coalition partners officially concluded Operation Inherent Resolve today, finalizing a 12-year military campaign against ISIS and transferring full national security responsibilities to Iraqi forces and the Peshmerga.

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Key Statements and Focus Areas

• Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell stated that, “Today, the United States and our Coalition partners formally concluded Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, consistent with the September 2024 U.S.-Iraq joint statement and U.S. national interests.”
• “We expect the Iraqi Security Forces, including the Peshmerga and other security forces in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, to lead the continuing effort to secure Iraq and keep ISIS remnants suppressed. The Department of War will continue to provide targeted training and intelligence support to our Iraqi partners,” the spokesman added.

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Pentagon Spokesman Parnell said in a statement on Wednesday that the departure of Coalition troops and equipment from Erbil Air Base officially marks the successful conclusion of the military mission that defeated ISIS in Iraq.

Parnell noted that the withdrawal process “reflects the success of a 12-year campaign that defeated ISIS as an organized military threat in Iraq and across the region.”

He emphasized that the milestone marks a transition from a wartime Coalition mission to an "Iraqi-led security effort supported by a more normal bilateral security relationship."

“The primary responsibility for addressing Iraq's remaining security challenges, including ISIS remnants and Iran-aligned militias that undermine Iraqi sovereignty and regional stability, now rests with the Government of Iraq,” Parnell highlighted, adding that the U.S. remains “committed to counterterrorism and will continue to work with Iraq and our partners to ensure ISIS can never reconstitute from Iraqi territory.”

The statement further underlined that the United States supports “a strong sovereign Iraq” that secures its borders, protects its people, and serves as the foundation for deeper commercial, diplomatic, and security cooperation between our two countries.

FYI

The final deadline for the withdrawal of U.S.-led International Coalition forces took effect today, September 30, permanently concluding their military mission in Iraq and transitioning full security control to domestic forces under the banner of "Sovereignty Day."

The historic milestone was marked by federal ceremonies decommissioning major military bases, including the primary coalition headquarters at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, alongside an official handover event attended by Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi.

Military spokesperson Sabah al-Numan told Channel8 that a high-level "Sovereignty Conference" in Baghdad will formalize the domestic forces' complete takeover of the national security file, while a four-day public holiday continues nationwide to commemorate the end of the 12-year anti-ISIS campaign.

Meanwhile, speaking to Channel8, Fawzi Hariri, President of the Diwan ( Office) of the Kurdistan Region Presidency, stated that the Region will maintain ongoing communication and coordination with Iraqi security forces, emphasizing that mutual understanding regarding the disputed territories is essential as ISIS elements continue to maintain movement.

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