Iraq Now Capable of Conducting Independent Airstrikes: US Centcom

The Pentagon said earlier that the United States and its coalition partners would be reducing their military mission in Iraq.A French Rafale jet fighter lands in Al Dhafra base, UAE, after a strike in Iraq on Sept. 19, 2014. Jean-Luc Brunet, ECPAD/AP Photo11/5/2025|Updated: 11/5/2025U.S. Central Command (Centcom) said on Nov. 4 that the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) is now capable of conducting its own independent airstrikes on enemy forces.The announcement marks “a major milestone in Iraq’s transition to assuming a leading role in regional operations,” Centcom said in a statement.Melanie is a reporter and editor covering world news. She has a background in environmental research.Author’s Selected Articles