The U.S. military officially declared the end of the Combined Joint Task Force—Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) – the 12-year counter-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) mission in Iraq.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), all U.S. forces and equipment successfully departed from Erbil Air Base on Sept. 30, 2026, after beginning removal in Oct. 2025.
The departure is part of a planned transition to a U.S.-Iraq bilateral defense relationship.
CJTF-OIR Will Move To Jordan
CENTCOM affirmed that CJTF-OIR will be headquartered in Jordan and remain operational as U.S. forces continue to deter ISIS in Syria in collaboration with Coalition partners and the Syrian government.
Adm. Cooper Praises Coalition Forces & The Mission
“Job well done to the tens of thousands of American service members, diplomats, and civilian personnel who answered the call in Iraq,” CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said.
Adm. Cooper praised coalition forces, attributing the demise of ISIS’ systemic threat to Iraq’s national security and its forces to the mission and its personnel.
As a result of the mission, Adm. Cooper affirmed that the Peshmerga and other Iraqi Kurdistan Region security forces possess capacity, leadership, and operational independence to manage threats to their homeland unilaterally.
Operation Inherent Resolve's Launch
The U.S. military launched CJTF-OIR in 2014 to combat ISIS, an offshoot terrorist organization that arose from the former al-Qaeda in Iraq.
Since 2014, Erbil Air Base in Northern Iraq has served as the mission’s main operational hub. The base hosted most of the 1,500 American and Coalition forces in the fight against Daesh.
The U.S. Will Remain Vigilant and Ready
“As we step back and hand full primary responsibility for Iraq’s security to the Government of Iraq and the brave people of Iraq, U.S. and Coalition forces stationed across the region will remain ready to respond to any ISIS threat that arise,” Cooper said. “Maintaining our vigilance and readiness is essential to protecting the U.S. homeland and strengthening regional security.”
