US to end ISIS mission in Iraq by 2026: officials

The U.S military will end its mission against the terrorist organization ISIS in Iraq, which is dubbed Operation Inherent Resolve, in September 2025, though some of the roughly 2,500 American troops in the country are expected to remain for an additional year, The Hill reported on Friday.

Citing senior U.S. officials, the outlet said that while Operation Inherent Resolve will wrap one year from now, it will remain in “transition" at least until September 2026.

Without offering specifics, a senior Biden administration official said troop numbers and activities are expected to change and that discussions about details are ongoing.

The announcement comes shortly after Iraqi officials said the U.S. would be withdrawing from the country in two stages, and after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani lodged complaints about U.S. forces fighting Iran-backed terror groups in Iraq during Israel’s war in Gaza.

American forces have been in Iraq since 2014 and their presence has been dependent on Iraq’s permission. Al-Sudani huddled with President Joe President Biden in April, and American officials have been signaling their confidence that Iraq can defend itself against ISIS, especially after the U.S. has given Iraq $4 billion in military aid and has trained and equipped 225,000 Iraqi troops.

Nevertheless, ISIS has been making a comeback after losing much of its territory since 2014, partially because of the chaotic and deadly U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.  This year, for example, the branch in Afghanistan, ISIS-K, killed more than 100 people in attacks on Iran and Russia.