‘We are going home!’: U.S. forces complete withdrawal from Iraq, ending decade-long counter-ISIS mission

United States officials announced a major milestone with the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq, marking the conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve.

The departure was completed on Wednesday, marking the end of the more than decade-long mission to counter ISIS in the Middle Eastern nation.

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U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the move is part of a transition to a “bilateral defense relationship” between the U.S. and Iraq, with the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) continuing anti-ISIS operations in Syria.

According to the CJTF-OIR, it has been advising, assisting and enabling “partnered forces until they can independently defeat” ISIS in areas of Iraq and Syria.

“Job well done to the tens of thousands of American service members, diplomats, and civilian personnel who answered the call in Iraq,” said Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.

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Now headquartered in Jordan, the command said the task force is working alongside Coalition partners and the Syrian government as it continues its mission to combat the terrorist organization.

U.S. and Coalition forces began withdrawing from Iraq in October 2025, CENTCOM stated in accordance with a joint statement made in 2024.

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The U.S. concluded Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began in 2003 to remove Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, in 2010, completing the withdrawal of troops in 2011. However, at the request of the Iraqi government, U.S. forces returned to defend against ISIS in 2014.

Erbil Air Base served as the main operations hub for the CJTF-OIR, hosting most of the 1,500 U.S. and Coalition forces countering ISIS operations, CENTCOM said.

“Launched in 2003 under the presidency of George W. Bush, and continued under the Administration of Barack Hussein Obama in 2014, and Sleepy Joe Biden, Operation Inherent Resolve ends in 2026 under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump,” Trump stated.

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The president went on to criticize the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan under former President Joe Biden contrasting it the “orderly departure” from Iraq.

“Unlike Afghanistan, where much Military Equipment and everything else was left behind, and 13 Warriors lie dead, with many badly wounded, this orderly departure of Coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base marks the end of a very expensive excursion into Hell,” the commander-in-chief said.

“I set a clear mission, gave our Commanders the tools to finish it, and refused to let a temporary presence become a permanent one,” he added.

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Cooper noted that U.S. forces would continue to defend against ISIS threats in the region.

“As we step back and hand full primary responsibility for Iraq’s security to the Government of Iraq and the brave people of Iraq, U.S. and Coalition forces stationed across the region will remain ready to respond to any ISIS threats that arise,” Cooper stated.

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“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,” he said.

(*) Full article: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/we-are-going-home-u-s-forces-complete-withdrawal-from-iraq-ending-decade-long-counter-isis-mission