U.S. military declares end of anti-ISIS Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq

The U.S. military has officially ended its anti-ISIS operation in Iraq, marking the withdrawal of all coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base. This move concludes a 12-year campaign that successfully dismantled ISIS as a military threat in Iraq and the region. The operation, known as Operation Inherent Resolve, began in 2014 to combat ISIS, which had emerged from al-Qaeda remnants and seized large areas in Iraq and Syria. At its peak, the U.S. had over 160,000 troops in Iraq, but by February 2026, only about 2,000 remained. The mission’s end follows a 2024 agreement between the U.S. and Iraq to transition to a bilateral security relationship. Despite the mission’s success in reducing ISIS’s territorial control, the group remains active, as evidenced by a deadly attack in December 2025. Additionally, U.S. forces have faced threats from Iranian-backed militias, especially amid ongoing tensions with Iran. QUESTION: How might the end of the U.S. military’s anti-ISIS operation in Iraq influence future international military collaborations?