US completes Iraq withdrawal and moves anti-ISIS task force to Jordan, says CENTCOM

ERBIL — The last U.S. and coalition forces left Erbil Air Base on Sept. 30, completing the withdrawal from Iraq, and the anti-ISIS task force that ran the mission is now headquartered in Jordan, U.S. Central Command said.

Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, set up in 2014 to support forces fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, remains operational from Jordan, and U.S. forces continue counter-ISIS operations in Syria alongside coalition partners and the Syrian government, CENTCOM said. The move marks a transition to a bilateral U.S.-Iraqi defence relationship.

“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 threats that arise,” said CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper. ISIS “no longer poses a systemic threat to Iraq’s national security,” he said, and Iraqi forces, including the Peshmerga and other Kurdistan Region forces, have the capacity, leadership and independence to handle threats.

Erbil Air Base was the task force’s main hub and housed most of the 1,500 U.S. and coalition personnel supporting the mission. Forces began leaving areas under federal authority in October 2025, and the Erbil departure completes it. Security Media Cell chief Saad Maan said before the deadline that the coalition had handed over all its bases and that ties with its members would continue bilaterally.

The group has kept up attacks and Iraqi forces have kept up operations this month. Gunmen attacked an army position near Baiji on Sept. 19 while approaching two main power towers, Kurdistan Region forces held 22 suspects in four days across Sulaymaniyah and Halabja, and Army and PMF units began a sweep of the Thalab basin near Khanaqin on Monday. The Region’s Peshmerga Ministry said the departure leaves it without air defence, and two armed factions, Kataib Hezbollah and Ashab al-Kahf, said they would act against foreign aircraft and forces from Wednesday night.