In a statement on Wednesday, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell announced that the Coalition mission in Iraq had officially concluded and that they expect Iraqi security and Peshmerga forces to lead the fight against ISIS.

In 2024, the United States and Iraq reached an agreement for the withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign troops from Iraq by the end of 2026.

“Today, the United States and our Coalition partners formally concluded Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, consistent with the September 2024 U.S.-Iraq joint statement and U.S. national interests,” he said in a statement.

“The orderly departure of Coalition forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base marks the successful conclusion of the military mission that defeated ISIS in Iraq.

“We expect the Iraqi Security Forces, including the Peshmerga and other security forces in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, to lead the continuing effort to secure Iraq and keep ISIS remnants suppressed,” he added. 

However, he added that the U.S. Department of War will continue to provide targeted training and intelligence support to Iraqi partners.

Read More: MoPA Concerned Over Lack of Air Defense Following U.S. Withdrawal

On September 28, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs (MoPA) raised concerns over the fact that U.S. forces will withdraw on September 30 without leaving air defenses for the Kurdistan Region.

“During the war between the United States and Iran in recent months, the Kurdistan Region was subjected to more than 1,000 drone and ballistic missile attacks, some of which struck civilian areas. These attacks resulted in several deaths and injuries, as well as material damage,” the MoPA said.

Nevertheless, the MoPA stated that they “are confident that the airspace of the Kurdistan Region, as part of the airspace of the federal government, is the responsibility and a priority of the federal government, which must assume responsibility for protecting the Kurdistan Region’s airspace when necessary.”

Read More: Coalition Withdrawal Will Leave Kurdistan Vulnerable: KRG PM Office

On the same day, the KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s media office also stated the Prime Minister’s position is that leaving the Kurdistan Region without adequate air defense makes the region vulnerable.

Also on Wednesday, t U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had completed the orderly departure of U.S. forces and equipment from Erbil Air Base, which served as the main operational hub for the Coalition, hosting most of the 1,500 American and Coalition forces supporting counter-ISIS operations.

Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, praised the tens of thousands of American service members, diplomats, and civilian personnel who answered the call in Iraq.

“Because of your grit, sacrifice, and professionalism, ISIS no longer poses a systemic threat to Iraq’s national security and Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga and other Iraqi Kurdistan Region security forces, now possess the capacity, leadership, and operational independence to unilaterally manage threats to their homeland.”