The United States has completed the withdrawal of its military forces from Iraq, formally ending the U.S.-led Operation Inherent Resolve mission in the country after a 12 year campaign against the Islamic State group (ISIS).
The U.S. military said American forces and equipment completed an orderly departure from Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq. The move follows an agreement between Washington and Baghdad to end the coalition’s military mission in Iraq.
U.S. Mission in Iraq Comes to an End
- Operation Inherent Resolve began in 2014 as part of the international campaign against ISIS.
- Following the withdrawal, the United States says its relationship with Iraq will shift toward a bilateral defence partnership, while continuing targeted training and intelligence support for Iraqi security partners.
- The withdrawal marks the end of the U.S. military presence in Iraq that followed years of conflict after the 2003 invasion.
Kataib Hezbollah Welcomes U.S. Departure
- Iran aligned Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah has welcomed the departure of U.S.-led forces.
- A Kataib Hezbollah security official described the U.S. departure as a step toward what the group considers full Iraqi sovereignty and issued warnings concerning Iraq’s future relations with the United States.
- However, there is no reliable confirmation that Kataib Hezbollah has suspended all of its operations following the U.S. withdrawal.
- Recent reports instead indicate that the group has continued making security related statements and has warned that it could respond to aircraft it considers hostile.
Militia Disarmament Remains a Major Issue
- The U.S. withdrawal comes as the Iraqi government faces the continuing challenge of bringing weapons held by armed factions under state control.
- The government has proposed a phased process for militia disarmament. Several powerful armed groups, including Kataib Hezbollah, have opposed unconditional disarmament or attached conditions to any weapons handover.
- Some Iraqi armed factions have indicated that they could consider placing weapons under state control if certain conditions, including the withdrawal of foreign forces, are met.
Security Concerns After U.S. Exit
- The U.S. withdrawal has also raised security concerns, particularly in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
- Iraqi and Kurdish authorities are expected to take greater responsibility for national security and for preventing a resurgence of ISIS.
- The United States says Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga forces will continue leading efforts against remaining ISIS elements, while Washington maintains targeted training and intelligence cooperation.
What Happens Next?
With U.S. troops no longer stationed in Iraq, Baghdad faces several challenges, including:
- Maintaining security against remaining ISIS cells.
- Managing powerful armed factions operating inside Iraq.
- Implementing the planned militia disarmament process.
- Maintaining relations with both the United States and Iran.
- Protecting Iraqi airspace amid continuing regional tensions.
Important: The U.S. military withdrawal is confirmed, but the specific claim that Kataib Hezbollah has suspended all operations should not be presented as confirmed without further official evidence. Current information indicates continued political and security statements from the group.
