Coalition commander says ‘time has come’ for Iraq to take lead as mission ends

2026-09-30 | 21:40

BAGHDAD — The commander of the U.S.-led coalition said Wednesday that Iraq should now take the lead in managing its security and move forward with efforts to bring weapons under state control, as the coalition completed its withdrawal from its final base in the country.

Rear Adm. Liam Hulin, who took command of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve in August, spoke at a Sovereignty Day ceremony in Baghdad attended by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.

“The time has come for Iraq to take the initiative,” Hulin said, adding that the transition should be accompanied by Zaidi’s efforts to restrict weapons to state authority.

Hulin said the coalition had completed its organized withdrawal from Erbil, its final base in Iraq, “because the coalition’s mission has been successfully completed.”

“Over 12 years, Iraqi forces and coalition forces bore the burden of immense sacrifices under the most difficult circumstances, and thanks to everyone’s courage, the mission was accomplished,” he said.

The coalition mission began in 2014 as Iraqi forces fought the Islamic State group. U.S. Central Command said Wednesday that the final U.S. and coalition forces had departed Erbil Air Base, completing the Iraq withdrawal. The anti-ISIS task force remains operational from its headquarters in Jordan.

Hulin cautioned that the security transition still required vigilance. “Iraq cannot ignore any threat, whether large or small, within its borders if it threatens its security, sovereignty and its position in the regional and international environment,” he said.

He said the United States and coalition countries were fulfilling their commitments under the withdrawal process and that military relationships would move into new bilateral frameworks.

“The coalition will continue to support the government and people of Iraq on their path toward a brighter future,” Hulin said. “The path forward is the path of a strong, secure and sovereign nation.”

Zaidi, speaking at the same ceremony, declared the coalition mission over and said Iraq would assume full responsibility for its security. He also said there should be “no weapons outside the umbrella of the law, and no force outside state institutions.”

The government has said the end of the foreign mission removes any justification for armed activity outside state institutions. Zaidi has set June 30, 2027, as the deadline for armed factions to hand their weapons to the state, beginning with a 90-day halt to attacks from Wednesday. Hours after the ceremony, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said it would not be bound by any government timetable.

He said the United States and coalition countries were meeting their commitments under the withdrawal and that military ties would move into new bilateral frameworks.

“The coalition will continue to support the government and people of Iraq on their path toward a brighter future,” Hulin said. “The path ahead is that of a strong, secure and sovereign nation.”

Zaidi, speaking at the same ceremony, declared the coalition mission over and said Iraq would take full responsibility for its security. He also said there should be “no weapons outside the umbrella of the law, and no force outside state institutions.”