The decisive development
The United States completed the withdrawal of its forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base, ending Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.
THE DAY, BOILED DOWN · 2026-09-30
The U.S. Has Ended Its Military Mission in Iraq
The U.S. completed its Iraq withdrawal, ending Operation Inherent Resolve there after 12 years while shifting the remaining counter-ISIS mission to Jordan and Syria.
THE SCAN90% evidence confidence
50K+ coverage index→32 pages reviewed→7 storylines→4 finalists→4 cited sources, including 1 primary sources evidence trail
Highest-confidence finalist selected as today’s lead.01
What actually happened
The United States completed the withdrawal of its forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base, ending Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq. The mission began in 2014 to help Iraqi and coalition forces fight ISIS. The departure closes the U.S. military operation in Iraq, but not the wider counter-ISIS campaign: its task force is now headquartered in Jordan and continues work in Syria. Iraq assumes primary responsibility for its own security at a moment of acute regional strain.
The U.S. completed its Iraq withdrawal, ending Operation Inherent Resolve there after 12 years while shifting the remaining counter-ISIS mission to Jordan and Syria.
02THE STORY INSIDE THE STORY
America left its last Iraqi base just as the question changed from whether it could leave to what fills the space.
The consequence
America left its last Iraqi base just as the question changed from whether it could leave to what fills the space.
The next test
The mission is over in Iraq; the contest over what comes next is not.
THE LINE TO REMEMBER
The mission is over in Iraq; the contest over what comes next is not.
03
The receipts
Primary evidence first. Reporting second. Inference labeled.
01primaryU.S. Forces End Operation Inherent Resolve Mission in IraqU.S. Central Command · 2026-09-30Official announcement of the completed withdrawal and mission transition02reportingThe US military says its withdrawal of troops from Iraq is completeAssociated Press · 2026-09-30Independent reporting on the completed withdrawal03reportingOfficials say US forces on track to complete Iraq pullout by Sept. 30Associated Press · 2026-08-12Background on the withdrawal deadline and Iraq mission04reportingU.S. military declares end of anti-ISIS Operation Inherent Resolve in IraqCBS News · 2026-09-30Independent reporting on the final departure and security implications