Iraq takes full security lead as 12-year coalition against ISIS expires

The United States and its international partners formally concluded Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq on Wednesday, 30 September, marking the end of a 12-year military campaign against ISIS. The transition follows the withdrawal of Coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base, shifting the regional security mandate to Iraqi-led forces. The closure of the mission adheres to the timeline established in a September 2024 U.S.-Iraq joint statement. According to Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell, the move signifies that ISIS no longer exists as an organized military threat in the region. The U.S. military presence will now pivot to a bilateral security relationship focused on advisory roles rather than active combat operations. Transition to Bilateral Security Pentagon officials confirmed the orderly departure of personnel from northern Iraq, effectively ending the wartime coalition structure. The new framework prioritizes Iraqi sovereignty, with Baghdad taking full responsibility for border security and internal protection. Parnell stated that the conclusion of the mission serves as a foundation for expanded commercial and diplomatic cooperation between Washington and Baghdad. The withdrawal comes at a critical time for regional stability, as Iraq seeks to demonstrate its independent military capability. The U.S. government maintains that while the coalition mission has ended, it will continue to support a sovereign Iraq through standard diplomatic and security…