According to a statement issued by the Combined Joint Task Force as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the Iraqi Armed Forces achieved 100% targeting accuracy using F-16 and S-208 aircraft. This marks a historic achievement that confirms their readiness and ability to independently manage airstrikes. It represents a pivotal moment in Iraq’s transition to a leadership role in regional operations. The statement noted that the Joint Task Force endorsed the Iraqi security forces’ offensive capabilities during a live-fire tactical exercise within the country, highlighting that the Iraqi forces successfully completed the targeting cycle under realistic field conditions. They demonstrated high efficiency in executing missions without direct support from U.S. forces or the international coalition.
Brigadier General Steven Rivera, Director of the Military Advisory Group in the Joint Task Force, stated that the achievement clearly exemplifies the success of the Iraq-U.S. partnership during the transition to bilateral security cooperation. He also confirmed that the traditional threat from ISIS has significantly diminished, while Iraqi counter-terrorism forces have enhanced their capabilities and equipment to become more efficient and professional.
The importance of this authorization extends beyond the military aspect, carrying political dimensions as well. It reflects Washington’s confidence in the capabilities of the Iraqi forces and indicates the countdown to ending the combat presence of the international coalition in Iraq, with their roles transitioning to advisory and training support.
It is noteworthy that Baghdad and Washington agreed, in late September 2024, to set the end of 2026 as the official deadline for ending the international coalition’s mission against the terrorist organization ISIS, following rounds of dialogue between the two sides. In August, the Ain al-Assad base in western Anbar witnessed the withdrawal of several U.S. military convoys as the first practical step in the gradual withdrawal plan. According to security sources in Baghdad and Anbar, some of those convoys carried heavy equipment, which was seen as a clear indication of the commencement of an actual withdrawal process rather than a mere repositioning.
