While Iraqi Security Forces remain dependent on Coalition support, attacks by both ISIS and Iranian-backed militias are down significantly in the last quarter as the U.S. prepares to end its combat mission in Iraq on Dec. 31.
Operation Inherent Resolve recently posted pictures of U.S. soldiers near Manbij, Syria, conducting what the captions called “presence patrols.” But after Military Times reached out to U.S. officials, the photos were quickly removed.
The coalition in Iraq is working to transition the U.S. Air Force into a less-kinetic role, but Islamic State holdouts across a still-fragile Iraq require attention.