‘Military mission that defeated ISIS’ ends: Why US-led coalition is exiting Iraq after 12 years

The US-led coalition has formally ended its 12-year military mission in Iraq after defeating the Islamic State as an organised military force. Here’s why the coalition withdrew, what role Iraqi forces will now play and how the exit affects IS remnants and Iran-aligned armed groups.

After more than a decade of military operations, the US-led coalition has formally concluded its mission in Iraq, marking the end of a campaign launched in 2014 to defeat the Islamic State (IS), according to the Pentagon.

“Today, the United States and our Coalition partners formally concluded Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq,” the Pentagon said in a release.

The Pentagon said that the withdrawal of coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base marked the completion of the military mission that defeated IS as an organised military threat in Iraq.

Why did the US-led coalition leave Iraq?

The coalition was deployed to Iraq and Syria in 2014 after IS seized large areas of both countries and allegedly carried out mass killings and atrocities.

IS was territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019. However, coalition forces remained in the region to target the group's remnants and support local security forces.

The United States and Iraq agreed in September 2024 to wind down the coalition's military mission. Coalition forces subsequently withdrew from bases across Iraq, with their presence eventually concentrated in the Kurdistan region.

The Pentagon said Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga and other forces in the Kurdistan region, will now take the lead in keeping IS remnants suppressed.

With the coalition mission over, the Pentagon said the primary responsibility for dealing with Iraq's remaining security challenges now rests with the Iraqi government.

These challenges include remnants of IS as well as Iran-aligned militias that Washington says undermine Iraqi sovereignty and regional stability.

The US said it would continue to provide targeted training and intelligence support to Iraqi partners.

“The United States remains committed to counterterrorism,” the Pentagon said, adding that Washington would continue working with Iraq and other partners to prevent IS from rebuilding in Iraqi territory.

Iraq seeks greater control over armed groups

The coalition's departure also comes as Baghdad seeks to strengthen state control over weapons held by powerful armed factions.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has pledged to reinforce the state's monopoly over arms and encourage armed groups to hand over their weapons.

His government had initially set September 30 as a deadline for factions to disarm, but later withdrew it as talks continued over how the groups' weapons could be brought under state control, according to AFP.

Several powerful factions have opposed disarmament, and negotiations continue on the issue.

The presence of US-led coalition forces became increasingly contentious after IS lost its territorial strongholds.

The withdrawal, therefore, removes a major point of friction between US and Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq, even as the question of weapons outside state control remains unresolved.

The Pentagon said Iraqi security forces will lead efforts to secure the country and prevent IS remnants from rebuilding.

The US also said it supports a “strong sovereign Iraq” capable of securing its borders and protecting its population, with the end of the coalition's wartime mission opening the way for deeper commercial, diplomatic and security cooperation between Washington and Baghdad.

The conclusion of the Iraq mission follows the coalition's earlier withdrawal from Syria and marks another major step in the winding down of the military campaign against IS that began in 2014.

With inputs from AFP.

About the Author

Bhanu Pratap is a journalist who reports and writes on foreign affairs, India’s foreign policy, geopolitics and strategic affairs. He closely follows diplomatic developments in New Delhi and has a keen interest in defence and national security.<br> <br> Bhanu also focuses on in-depth, interview-based reports and regularly speaking with experts and policymakers to bring perspectives and context to major developments around the world.<br> <br> He is also interested in stories with strong humanitarian angles.<br><br> One such report examined the cases of Indian nationals who were allegedly recruited and forced into Russia’s war against Ukraine. While reporting the story, Bhanu spoke to the families of those affected and documented their experiences. The report was later taken into account by the United Nations in its findings on human rights violations linked to the war in Ukraine.<br> <br> For Bhanu, the zeal to produce meaningful and impactful journalism remains at the heart of his work.<br> <br>He has previously worked with Firstpost, NDTV, Newslaundry and Republic.<br><br> Bhanu studied at the Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi. He initially chose science with plans to pursue engineering, influenced by conventional expectations, but fate had other plans and eventually led him to journalism.<br><br> Beyond the newsroom, Bhanu enjoys exploring culture and history and often spends his days off on heritage walks. He is also passionate about travelling, biking and listening to folk music.<br> <br>For tips, reviews and suggestions, you can reach him at bhanu.pratap@htdigital.in.

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