The United States and its coalition partners have officially ended 'Operation Inherent Resolve,' a 12-year military campaign aimed at countering ISIL (ISIS). The Pentagon confirmed the withdrawal of all remaining troops and military equipment from the airbase in Erbil, marking the formal conclusion of the coalition's mission in the country. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell characterized the departure as a successful transition, noting that Iraqi security forces and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters will now assume full responsibility for maintaining security and suppressing remaining insurgent elements.

While the U.S. frames the move as the successful culmination of a long-term security objective, the event coincides with national celebrations in Iraq. Iraqi security forces held parades in cities including Baghdad and Najaf to commemorate 'Sovereignty Day.' The timing of these events highlights the shift in Iraq's security landscape as the nation moves toward a post-coalition era. While Al Jazeera focuses on the domestic celebration of sovereignty, Middle East Eye emphasizes the technical and strategic details of the U.S. military exit, specifically citing the closure of the Erbil airbase and the specific terminology used by the Pentagon to describe the handover.