Coalition signals end of major anti-ISIS combat operations in Iraq
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The coalition has closed down its land forces command headquarters in Baghdad, “signifying the end of major combat operations against ISIS in Iraq,” the 75-member global alliance announced on Monday.
The Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command supported Iraqi forces in the war against ISIS. Its train, advise, assist, and equip missions will now be consolidated within a single headquarters “as the nature of its support to the [Iraqi Security Forces] evolves from supporting and enabling combat operations to the training and development of self-sufficient Iraqi security-related capabilities.”
“Thanks to our partnered success, we are able to continue our support to the Government of Iraq under the unified command of CJTF-OIR,” said outgoing commander of the force Maj. Gen. Walter Piatt.
The coalition has increasingly scaled back its activities in Iraq, focusing on training and advising Iraqi forces with the locals taking the lead in active combat missions.
Related: Iraq Interior Ministry denies ISIS controls villages in Kirkuk
Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, spokesperson for the Iraqi Security Forces, thanked the coalition.
“The commitment and professionalism of all the men and women from all the Coalition nations has been of the highest order, and Iraq is immensely grateful for their sacrifice and dedication in this task,” Rasool said, adding that he hoped for years of partnership and friendship to come.
The coalition has trained at least 136,000 members of the Iraqi security forces and, working with Iraqi and Syrian forces, regained over 100,000 square kilometres of territory from across the two countries.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced Iraq was “fully liberated” from ISIS last December.
The group remains a serious security threat, however, with small groups of militants and sleeper cells still a presence, mainly in Anbar, Nineveh, Diyala, and Kirkuk provinces.
ISIS has also threatened to attack polling booths during elections on May 12.
Related: ISIS in Hamrin Mountains plotting election attacks: Peshmerga official
The Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command supported Iraqi forces in the war against ISIS. Its train, advise, assist, and equip missions will now be consolidated within a single headquarters “as the nature of its support to the [Iraqi Security Forces] evolves from supporting and enabling combat operations to the training and development of self-sufficient Iraqi security-related capabilities.”
“Thanks to our partnered success, we are able to continue our support to the Government of Iraq under the unified command of CJTF-OIR,” said outgoing commander of the force Maj. Gen. Walter Piatt.
The coalition has increasingly scaled back its activities in Iraq, focusing on training and advising Iraqi forces with the locals taking the lead in active combat missions.
Related: Iraq Interior Ministry denies ISIS controls villages in Kirkuk
Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, spokesperson for the Iraqi Security Forces, thanked the coalition.
“The commitment and professionalism of all the men and women from all the Coalition nations has been of the highest order, and Iraq is immensely grateful for their sacrifice and dedication in this task,” Rasool said, adding that he hoped for years of partnership and friendship to come.
The coalition has trained at least 136,000 members of the Iraqi security forces and, working with Iraqi and Syrian forces, regained over 100,000 square kilometres of territory from across the two countries.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced Iraq was “fully liberated” from ISIS last December.
The group remains a serious security threat, however, with small groups of militants and sleeper cells still a presence, mainly in Anbar, Nineveh, Diyala, and Kirkuk provinces.
ISIS has also threatened to attack polling booths during elections on May 12.
Related: ISIS in Hamrin Mountains plotting election attacks: Peshmerga official