U.S. forces complete withdrawal from Iraq, ending Operation Inherent Resolve

The final U.S. contingent left Erbil Air Base on Sept. 30, 2026, ending the anti‑ISIS mission that began in 2014.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 30 Sep 2026 13:58:08 GMT

The U.S. military announced that the last coalition forces and equipment have been withdrawn from Iraq, concluding Operation Inherent Resolve that began in 2014.

What happened

On Sept. 30, 2026, U.S.-led troops and gear departed Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq, the final site used for the anti‑ISIS campaign. The departure was described as "orderly" by Department of Defense spokesman Sean Parnell. The move fulfills an agreement reached with the Iraqi government in 2024 and executed under the current administration.

What the reports add

CBS News noted the withdrawal ends a 23‑year U.S. presence in Iraq, tracing back to the 2003 invasion and the 12‑year escalation against ISIS.
The CBS written story specified that Operation Inherent Resolve began in 2014 to counter the group that grew out of al‑Qaeda in Iraq.
Roughly 2,000 Americans remained in Iraq as of February 2026, down from more than 160,000 at the peak of the 2000s surge.
About 1,500 U.S. troops that had been stationed in Syria withdrew earlier in 2026.
In December 2025, two U.S. soldiers and a translator were killed in an ISIS attack, prompting U.S. airstrikes.
Iran‑aligned militias launched over 600 attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities between February and April 2026.
The joint U.S.–U.K. pullout also saw around 100 British personnel leave Erbil, ending the UK’s decade‑long presence.

What was said

"The orderly departure of Coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base marks the successful conclusion of the military mission that defeated ISIS in Iraq," Department of Defense spokesman Sean Parnell said.

"This milestone reflects the success of a 12-year campaign that defeated ISIS as an organized military threat in Iraq and across the region. It also marks a transition from a wartime coalition mission to an Iraqi‑led security effort supported by a more normal bilateral security relationship," Parnell added.

"The exit marks Iraq’s transition to full security responsibility," Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi said, as reported in the context of the withdrawal.

How it came about

The withdrawal follows a 2024 agreement between the United States and Iraq that set a timeline for ending the multi‑country coalition by 2025 and concluding Operation Inherent Resolve by Sept. 30, 2026. The plan was affirmed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a July meeting with Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi, where the U.S. committed to ending the mission on that date. The exit occurs amid broader regional shifts, including Turkey’s planned handover of the Bashiqa base to Baghdad and concerns about a security vacuum that could be exploited by Iran‑aligned militias and remaining ISIS elements.

Key facts

All U.S.-led coalition forces and equipment left Erbil Air Base on Sept. 30, 2026. (cbsnews.com)
The withdrawal ends Operation Inherent Resolve, a 12‑year anti‑ISIS campaign launched in 2014. (cbsnews.com)
Sean Parnell, Department of Defense spokesman, described the departure as orderly. (cbsnews.com)
CBS video noted the withdrawal concludes a 23‑year U.S. presence in Iraq. (cbsnews.com)