US Forces Exit Iraq After 2 Decades, CENTCOM Says; Headquarters Shifts to Jordan
US Central Command completed the departure of American forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base on September 30, marking the end of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq. CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper confirmed Iraq's security forces can now unilaterally manage threats, as CJTF-OIR shifts its headquarters to Jordan to sustain counter-ISIS operations in Syria.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) completed the orderly departure of US forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base, September 30, marking the end of the Operation Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq. The milestone concludes more than a decade of multinational coalition operations centered inside Iraqi territory to dismantle the territorial caliphate of the Islamic State.
The move from Iraq is part of a planned transition to a US-Iraq bilateral defense relationship. Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) remains operational and is now headquartered in Jordan as US forces continue the counter-ISIS mission in Syria alongside Coalition partners and the Syrian government. US: 4 Injured in Aircraft Landing Mishap Aboard USS Dwight D Eisenhower off Virginia.
US Forces Exit Iraq After 2 Decades, CENTCOM Says
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 30, 2026
Transition of Security Responsibilities to Baghdad and Erbil
CJTF-OIR has advised, assisted, and enabled partner forces in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria since CENTCOM established the unit in 2014. The completion of the drawdown shifts primary ground defense and intelligence responsibilities entirely to domestic Iraqi formations.
“Job well done to the tens of thousands of American service members, diplomats, and civilian personnel who answered the call in Iraq,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “Because of your grit, sacrifice and professionalism, ISIS no longer poses a systemic threat to Iraq’s national security and Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga and other Iraqi Kurdistan Region security forces, now possess the capacity, leadership, and operational independence to unilaterally manage threats to their homeland.” US Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Jet Crashes Near Rimrock Lake in Washington, Sparks Wildfire (See Video and Pics).
Drawdown From Operational Hub at Erbil Air Base
American and Coalition forces began departing federal Iraq last October as part of a transition that culminated into the removal of personnel and equipment from Erbil Air Base in September.
Located in northern Iraq, Erbil Air Base served as the main operational hub for CJTF-OIR and hosted most of the 1,500 American and Coalition forces supporting counter-ISIS operations. Over recent weeks, logistical teams systematically transferred facilities, flight line assets, and operational gear back to regional commands or directly into Iraqi custody.
Regional Posture and Syrian Mission Continuity
While direct coalition base operations inside Iraq have formally concluded, CENTCOM reaffirmed its capability to project air power and rapid response assets from surrounding regional installations if extremist elements resurge.
“As we step back and hand full primary responsibility for Iraq’s security to the Government of Iraq and the brave people of Iraq, US and Coalition forces stationed across the region will remain ready to respond to any ISIS threats that arise,” said Cooper. “Maintaining our vigilance and readiness is essential to protecting the US homeland and strengthening regional security.”
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 04:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
