The US-led international coalition has officially ended its military mission in Iraq, marking the conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve. Following a planned withdrawal, the security framework will now shift toward bilateral relations between Iraq and individual member states.
The 12-year legacy of Operation Inherent Resolve
The conclusion of the coalition's mission marks the end of a decade-long effort that began in 2014 when Daesh seized significant territory across Iraq and Syria. As reported by the source, the campaign successfully defeated Daesh as an organized military threat throughout the region. this transition fololws a timeline established in September 2024, when Baghdad and Washington agreed to a phased withdrawal ending in late September 2026.
This shift represents a broader trend of Western powers attempting to normalize security footprints in the Middle East by moving from large-scale combat coalitions to targeted, state-to-state partnerships. By transitioning to bilateral ties, the US and its partners aim to respect Iraqi sovereignty while maintaining the intelligence and training pipelines established over the last twelve years.
The departure from Erbil Air Base and the move to Jordan
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Wednesday that coalition forces and equipment have completed an "orderly departure" from Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq.. While the mission in Iraq has ended, the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve remains operational, though its headquarters has been relocated to Jordan.
The military presence is not disappearing entirely, but rather shifting its geographic focus.. According to the report, US forces will continue their counter-Daesh operations in Syria alongside coalition partners and the Syrian governnment. This move suggests a strategic pivot where the US maintains a presence in the Levant while stepping back from the direct military oversight of Iraqi domestic security.
Qasim al Araji’s vision for Iraqi sovereignty
Iraqi security adviser Qasim al Araji described the end of the coalition mission as an "important milestone" that follows negotiations dating back to July 2021. Al Araji emphasized that the new phase focuses on bilateral relations intended to consolidate the sovereignty of the Iraqi state. He credited the victory over Daesh to the sacrifices of Iraqi forces and the support of international partners.
Under this new arrangement, the emphasis moves from coalition-led operations to capacity-building. The goal is to ensure that Iraqi Security Forces can lead the continuing effort to secure the country. This transition is intended to be a partnership based on "mutual respect and shared interests," rather than a wartime command structure.
The challenge of Iran-aligned militias and Daesh remnants
Despite the formal end of the mission, significant security vulnerabilities remain that the Government of Iraq must now manage independently. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell noted that the primary responsibility for addressing Daesh remnants and Iran-aligned militias now rests with the Iraqi government. These militias are cited as a specific threat to both Iraqi sovereignty and regional stability.
The transition leaves several critical questions unanswered. First, how will the Iraqi government maintain its bilateral security relationship with the US while simultaneously managing the influence of Iran-aligned militias that may view such ties as a provocation? Second, the source does not clarify the specific level of "targeted training and intelligence support" the US Department of Defense will provide to ensure the Iraqi Security Forces can effectively suppress Daesh remnants. Finally, the reporting does not include a response from the Iran-aligned militias themselves, leaving their stance on this shift to bilateralism unknown.
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