Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh al-Zaidi officially announced on Wednesday 30 September 2026 the end of the international coalition’s mission to fight Islamic State in Iraq, following a 12-year military mission. He confirmed that full responsibility for the country’s security had been transferred to Iraqi forces and institutions.
The announcement was made during an official ceremony held by the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in Baghdad to mark Sovereignty Day, attended by the commander of the international coalition forces and commanders of Iraq’s military branches and security formations. Al-Zaidi said Iraq was reaping the fruits of years of sacrifices and efforts, which had enabled its security services, across their various formations, to establish control over the security and field situation throughout the country.
He added that the end of the mission proved that cooperation between friendly forces and peoples had produced victory over one of the darkest periods of extremism and brutality in history. The prime minister said the mobilisation of Iraqis alongside the armed forces had launched a phase in which the forces reorganised their command systems, mobilised resources, unified efforts and seized the initiative in confronting Islamic State.
He explained that the countries participating in the coalition had assisted Iraq during the confrontation, while Iraqi forces reorganised and rearmed. He thanked the coalition’s participating countries, as well as its leaders, officers, trainers and advisers who had worked alongside the Iraqi security services.
Iraq takes charge of its security after mission ends
Al-Zaidi stressed that the end of the coalition’s mission did not mean the end of the fight against terrorism, but rather Iraq’s transition to a phase in which it would assume full responsibility for its security and stability. He confirmed that security cooperation with friendly countries would remain open through more focused channels, including the use of technology and digital tools to serve security and stability.
He said the transfer of joint operations duties to the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces embodied an institutional framework for managing security efforts under the authority and supreme leadership of the state. He added that the new phase was based on Iraq’s sovereignty, the strength of its institutions, the readiness of its forces, unity of decision-making and balanced partnerships with friendly countries.
The prime minister affirmed that responsibility for protecting the results achieved lay with Iraqis, stressing that there should be no weapons outside the law’s framework or forces outside state institutions, in accordance with the constitution, the guidance of the religious authority and the demands of the Iraqi people.
Bases evacuated as transition begins
In January 2026, the Higher Military Committee for Ending the International Coalition’s Mission announced the evacuation of coalition advisers from bases and command headquarters located in the federal areas, after the remaining personnel left Ain al-Asad Air Base and the Joint Operations Command headquarters. The two sites were placed under the full administration of Iraqi security forces.
The committee said at the time that the step had concluded the first phase of the process, while coordination on pursuing Islamic State in Syria continued, alongside logistical support provided through the remaining presence at an air base in Erbil, before the mission in Iraq was fully concluded on 30 September.
The transition was carried out on the basis of Iraqi-US understandings and the agreed timetable for ending the coalition’s military mission, and shifting to bilateral security relations that support the capabilities of Iraqi forces and continue efforts to prevent the return of Islamic State.
Before the deadline, the Iraqi government had confirmed that relations with coalition countries would shift from a collective military framework to bilateral partnerships based on respect for sovereignty and mutual interests, while security and intelligence cooperation, the exchange of information and expertise, and capacity-building continued.
Security partnerships and Sovereignty Days celebrations
After the official ceremony ended, popular celebrations began and were expected to continue for several days, with the participation of political and security forces, including the Popular Mobilisation Forces and armed factions. The Council of Ministers also approved a public holiday in state institutions from Wednesday 30 September to Saturday 3 October, as part of the Sovereignty Days events. Official work is to resume on 4 October.
