The US military has finished pulling its personnel and equipment out of Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq. This move, announced by US Central Command, marks the official end of Operation Inherent Resolve within Iraqi borders.
The departure of 1,500 personnel from Erbil Air Base
The final removal of American troops and equipment from Erbil Air Base was completed on September 30,according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).. This facility in northern Iraq served as the primary operational hub for the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, housing the majority of the approximately 1,500 American and Coalition personnel deployed for the mission.
The exit follows a transition period intended to move the relationship between Washington and Baghdad away from a combat-centric partnership toward a bilateral defense arrangement. As reported by the source, this shift places the primary responsibility for Iraq's internal security squarely on the shoulders of the Iraqi security forces.
Relocating the Combined Joint Task Force headquarters to Jordan
While the US has exited Iraq, the fight against the Islamic State has not ended . CENTCOM confirmed that the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve remains an active entity, though its headquarters have now been relocated to Jordan. This move allows the US to maintain a regional command structure without a permanent combat footprint in Iraq.
Furthermore , US forces continue to operate in Syria. These counter-ISIS operations are conducted alongside Coalition partners and the Syrian government , ensuring that the vacuum left in Iraq is not immediately exploited by insurgent remnants in neighboring territories.
A strategic pivot toward the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe
The decision to leave Erbil is part of a broader US strategic realignment. Washington is currently reallocating its military resources to address emerging challenges in Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific, signaling a move away from the long-term Middle Eastern interventions that defined the early 21st century.
CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated that ISIS no longer poses a systemic threat to the national security of Iraq, citing the "grit, sacrifice and professionalism" of the forces involved. according to the report, the US believes Iraqi security forces are now capable of managing homeland threats independently, though the US and its partners remain on alert should the threat resurge.
Kurdish fears over the loss of American air-defense
The withdrawal has created a stark divide in local reactions.. While Iran-aligned groups within Iraq have celebrated the departure of American forces, officials in the Kurdish region have expressed significant anxiety. The primary concern is the loss of American air-defense capabilities, which provided a critical shield against the persistent threat of missile and drone attacks.
This tension highlights a critical open question:how will the Kurdish region maintain its security without a direct US presence? Additionally, the source does not specify the exact nature of the new "bilateral defense relationship" or what specific triggers would bring US forces back into Iraq if the security situation deteriorates. The move underscores the fragile balance between Iraq's pursuit of total sovereignty and its continued need for external stability.
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