US-led coalition formally ends Iraq mission while retaining support role
The United States and its partners have formally concluded the Iraq mission of the coalition created to fight Islamic State, more than a decade after its deployment. Washington says it will continue targeted training and intelligence support, while Iraq’s leaders celebrate greater sovereignty amid disputes over armed factions.
The United States-led coalition has formally ended its military mission in Iraq, more than a decade after it was deployed to fight Islamic State. The Pentagon announced the conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve on Wednesday, saying the move followed a September 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad. The United States said it would continue providing targeted training and intelligence support to Iraqi partners.
Coalition forces were sent to Iraq and Syria in 2014 after Islamic State seized large areas, carried out massacres and forced women and children into slavery. The group was defeated in Iraq in 2017 and Syria in 2019, but coalition troops remained to fight its remnants. The withdrawal from Iraq took place gradually.
Coalition forces left bases across the country and eventually restricted their presence to Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region before the mission’s formal conclusion. Iraqi leaders welcomed the move. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi described it as the beginning of a new phase defined by sovereignty, stronger institutions and balanced partnerships.
The government also plans to mark October 1 as Sovereignty Day. However, the end of the mission has raised concerns about the future of armed groups with ties to Iran. The coalition’s campaign relied not only on US forces but also on Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and powerful Iraqi factions, including pro-Iran groups that have not disarmed.
Zaidi has pledged to strengthen the state’s monopoly over weapons. His government initially set a September 30 deadline for factions to disarm but later withdrew it while talks continued. Several powerful groups oppose disarmament and have demanded the withdrawal of foreign forces and an end to US political and economic influence.
Kataeb Hezbollah called the withdrawal a step towards full sovereignty but also warned that a government failing to serve the people could be brought down. Pro-Iran factions have previously attacked US forces with drones and missiles, prompting American retaliation. Iraqi politicians are now seeking a compromise over the weapons issue.
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