US Central Command completes withdrawal from Erbil Air Base, ending Operation Inherent Resolve

US Central Command: US Central Command (CENTCOM) is a unified combatant command of the US Department of Defense that directs military operations and security cooperation across the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia and Africa. It coordinates US forces, coalition partners, and counterterrorism activities in the region. In this development, CENTCOM announced and managed the completed withdrawal of US forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base, formally ending the Operation Inherent Resolve mission inside Iraq. Admiral Brad Cooper: Admiral Brad Cooper is the commander of US Central Command, responsible for overseeing US military strategy, force posture, and operations throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility. He leads efforts on counterterrorism and regional security partnerships. Cooper issued statements highlighting the transition of primary security responsibility for Iraq to Iraqi forces and affirming ongoing regional readiness against ISIS threats. Force Readiness: US and coalition forces stationed in the region remain positioned to respond to any future ISIS threats while Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga, assume primary responsibility for homeland security. Mission Transition: The withdrawal completes the Operation Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq and shifts the US-Iraq relationship to a bilateral defense partnership. Ongoing Operations: US and coalition forces continue counter-ISIS activities in Syria from locations in Jordan, working with coalition partners and the Syrian government.