The United States has officially ended its mission against ISIS in Iraq, according to a statement released by the Pentagon on Wednesday. The announcement comes after US forces withdrew from a military base in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region. The move is in line with a joint US-Iraqi statement made in September 2024, which outlined the US's plan to withdraw its troops from Iraq.
The US-led coalition against ISIS has been present in Iraq and Syria since 2014, when the extremist group seized large areas of both countries and committed atrocities. Although ISIS was defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019, coalition forces remained to combat the remaining jihadist cells. Earlier this year, the coalition withdrew from Syria, and now, it has completed its withdrawal from Iraq, except for a few remaining personnel.
The US-Iraqi agreement in 2024 laid out a plan for the gradual withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq. By early this year, the coalition had reduced its presence to just the Kurdistan region. The Iraqi government has stated that its military is now capable of preventing the resurgence of extremist groups, and the country's relationship with coalition countries is shifting towards security partnerships.
The withdrawal of US forces from Iraq has implications for the country's militias, which have been asked to disarm. The Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaydi, has set a goal of monopolizing the use of force and has given militias until the end of September to surrender their arms. However, some militias have refused to disarm, leading to ongoing negotiations.
The US military presence in Iraq has been a point of contention for some Iraqi groups, which view it as an occupation. In response, US forces have carried out strikes against militia leaders. The situation remains complex, with some militias agreeing to disarm while others refuse.
The end of the US mission in Iraq marks a significant shift in the country's security landscape. The Iraqi government has taken steps to assert its control over the country's security, and the US is transitioning its role to one of security partnership. The situation will continue to evolve, with ongoing negotiations between the Iraqi government and militias.
The US withdrawal from Iraq is a significant development in the region, and its implications will be closely watched. The country's ability to maintain security and stability will be crucial in the coming months and years. The US will continue to play a role in the region, but its military presence in Iraq has come to an end.
Key points
- The US has completed its withdrawal from Iraq, ending its mission against ISIS.
- The withdrawal is in line with a joint US-Iraqi agreement made in 2024.
- The Iraqi government has stated that its military is capable of preventing the resurgence of extremist groups.
