US forces end Operation Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command completed the withdrawal of U.S. forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base on Sept. 30, ending the Operation Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq and advancing a planned transition to a bilateral U.S.-Iraq defense relationship.

Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve remains active but is now headquartered in Jordan. U.S. forces are continuing the counter-ISIS mission in Syria alongside coalition partners and the Syrian government.

Established by CENTCOM in 2014, the task force has advised, assisted and enabled partner forces fighting ISIS in 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,” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said. “Because of your grit, sacrifice and professionalism, ISIS no longer poses a systemic threat to Iraq’s national security and Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga and other Iraqi Kurdistan Region security forces, now possess the capacity, leadership, and operational independence to unilaterally manage threats to their homeland.”

American and coalition forces began leaving federal Iraq last October. The transition culminated with the departure of personnel and equipment from Erbil Air Base in September.

The base in northern Iraq served as the task force’s main operational hub and hosted most of the 1,500 American and coalition personnel supporting counter-ISIS operations.

“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 said. “Maintaining our vigilance and readiness is essential to protecting the U.S. homeland and strengthening regional security.”