US ends 12-year operation in Iraq: coalition forces withdrawn from Erbil
The primary responsibility for ensuring security, however, passed to the Iraqi side.
The US and coalition partners have officially concluded the "Inherent Resolve" operation against ISIS in Iraq. This was announced by Pentagon Chief Press Secretary Sean Parnell.
According to him, the orderly withdrawal of coalition forces and military equipment from Erbil Air Base signifies the completion of the military mission aimed at defeating ISIS in Iraq.
The Pentagon stated that the US-led campaign lasted nearly 12 years and as a result, ISIS was defeated as an organized military threat in Iraq and the region.
Now the primary task of ensuring security falls to the Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga and other forces in Iraqi Kurdistan. The US, in turn, will continue to provide targeted military training and intelligence support to the Iraqi side.
According to the Pentagon, the primary responsibility for combating ISIS remnants and Iran-allied armed groups threatening Iraq's sovereignty and regional stability now falls to the Iraqi government.
At the same time, the US announced that it will continue cooperation with Iraq in the field of counterterrorism. Washington will continue working with Baghdad and other partners to prevent the resurgence of ISIS in Iraqi territory.
The Pentagon representative emphasized that the US supports a strong and sovereign Iraq, which will serve as a basis for further developing cooperation between the two countries in trade-economic, diplomatic, and security spheres.
