The US Pentagon announced on September 30, 2026, that the international coalition mission against ISIS in Iraq has officially come to an end. The coalition, led by the United States, had been operating in Iraq since 2014, with the goal of defeating the terrorist organization. According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the coalition's mission, known as Operation Inherent Resolve+, has concluded, and US forces have withdrawn from their base in Erbil, Iraq.
The coalition's presence in Iraq and Syria began in 2014, after ISIS seized large areas of territory in both countries. Iraqi forces, supported by the coalition, were able to retake the territory and declare victory over ISIS in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019. Despite the defeat, the coalition remained in the region to counter remaining ISIS cells. In 2024, Baghdad and Washington agreed to end the coalition's mission in Iraq, with the US and its partners beginning a withdrawal from the country in 2025.
The coalition's departure from Iraq marks a significant shift in the country's security landscape. According to Parnell, Iraqi security forces will now take the lead in securing the country and preventing ISIS from regrouping. The US will continue to support Iraqi forces in the fight against terrorism, but the focus will shift from a combat mission to a more advisory role.
The end of the coalition's mission in Iraq comes after more than a decade of operations. The US and its partners have played a significant role in helping Iraqi forces defeat ISIS, but the country's security forces are now taking on greater responsibility for their own security. The US will continue to work with Iraqi forces to prevent ISIS from reconstituting itself.
The coalition's withdrawal from Iraq is part of a broader effort to transition security responsibilities to local forces. The US and its partners have been working to build the capacity of Iraqi security forces, enabling them to take on greater responsibility for securing the country. The end of the coalition's mission marks an important milestone in this process.
The US commitment to combating terrorism in Iraq will continue, albeit in a different form. According to Parnell, the US will continue to work with Iraqi forces to prevent ISIS from regrouping and to support the country's long-term security. The end of the coalition's mission marks a new chapter in US-Iraq relations, with a focus on cooperation and partnership rather than combat operations.
The international coalition's mission against ISIS in Iraq has been a significant success, but the fight against terrorism is far from over. The US and its partners will continue to work with Iraqi forces to prevent ISIS from reconstituting itself and to support the country's long-term security. The end of the coalition's mission marks an important milestone in this effort.
Key points
- The US Pentagon announced the end of the international coalition mission against ISIS in Iraq on September 30, 2026.
- The coalition's withdrawal from Iraq marks a significant shift in the country's security landscape, with Iraqi security forces taking on greater responsibility for securing the country.
- The US will continue to support Iraqi forces in the fight against terrorism, but the focus will shift from a combat mission to a more advisory role.
