US troops to leave Iraq, end ISIS combat mission by end of 2026

The U.S. has announced a deal with the Iraqi government to wrap up the military mission in Iraq that’s working to defeat ISIS. U.S. officials revealed the two-phase transition plan on Friday, Sept. 27, which will close the Operation Inherent Resolve Task Force by the end of 2026. 

The first phase will begin after the November election. That’s when American forces will start departing from Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq. They’ll move to Hareer base in northern Iraq. This phase is expected to run through September 2025, and some troops may stay at Hareer base for longer, requested by the Kurdistan regional government.

In the second phase, Iraq will allow the U.S. coalition to keep using its territory for missions across the border into Syria until at least September 2026. 

The Biden administration has not said how many of the approximately 2,500 troops still serving in Iraq will stay there. However, the State Department said the military mission would ultimately transition into a bilateral security relationship. 

This all comes at a contentious time for the Middle East with the escalating conflict between Israel and two Iranian-backed militant groups in Lebanon and Gaza.

On Friday, an Israeli strike killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken commented, “Lebanon, the region, the world are safer without him.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia’ Al Sudani, who has ties to Iran, did call for the U.S. to transition its counter-ISIS mission. He increased those calls after American forces fought against Iranian-backed militia groups during the war in Gaza.

The recent agreement marks the third time in the last two decades the U.S. has announced a formal transition of the military’s role in Iraq.