The United States has completed the withdrawal of all its troops from Iraq, formally ending a 12-year military mission focused on defeating the Islamic State (ISIS). The final American forces and equipment left an air base in Iraq’s northern Kurdish region on September 30, marking the conclusion of the U.S.-led coalition’s Operation Inherent Resolve.
The mission began after ISIS seized large parts of Iraq in 2014, prompting Baghdad to request international military assistance. U.S. forces had previously withdrawn from Iraq in 2011 after the 2003 invasion, but returned in 2014 to support Iraqi forces against ISIS. Washington and Baghdad agreed in 2024 to gradually end the coalition mission, with the final withdrawal completed under the September 30 deadline.
The U.S. exit shifts primary responsibility for Iraq’s security to Iraqi forces. Washington has said it will continue providing targeted training and intelligence support, while concerns remain over the possible resurgence of ISIS sleeper cells and the influence of Iran-backed armed groups. Iraqi officials have described the move as a transition toward greater national responsibility for security and counterterrorism.