Global geopolitical Series: U.S. closes its ISIS-offensive headquarter in Iraq

Is the war against ISIS over in Iraq? Is Iraq free from ISIS threats? Is the Iraqi army capable of continuing the offensive (if any reqd.) against the Islamic States (ISIS/ISIL) on its own?

While these questions can be answered in time, the U.S. led coalition’s move to close down the ISIS-offensive headquarter seems to suggest the answer to be yes to the above questions. The Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command (CJFLCC) headquarters was deactivated in a ceremony on Monday, and its authorities were transferred to Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). CJFLCC had worked with Iraqi government troops and Kurdish peshmerga militia to provide training, battlefield advice and other military support in the fight against IS, as well as diplomatic and law enforcement assistance. 

OIS said in a statement, “The Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command (CJFLCC) Headquarters was deactivated today at a ceremony in Baghdad, signifying the end of major combat operations against ISIS in Iraq and acknowledging the changing composition and responsibilities of the Coalition.

CJFLCC was responsible for Coalition land force operations in support of the Iraqi Security Force (ISF) during the campaign to defeat ISIS in Iraq and liberate more than 4.5 million Iraqis subject to ISIS’s brutal control.

Iraqi Security Force and Coalition leaders attended the ceremony that formally transferred CJFLCC’s command authorities to the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve and featured a traditional ‘Casing of the Colors’.”

The statement quoted Major General Walter Piatt, former commanding general CJFLCC as saying, “Casing the CJFLCC Colors is a symbolic gesture, honoring the perseverance and sacrifice of our Coalition partners. Thanks to our partnered success, we are able to continue our support to the Government of Iraq under the unified command of CJTF-OIR”.

According to coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon, as of December 2017, 98 percent of territory held by IS in Syria and Iraq has been liberated. Efforts to eliminate the last pockets held by the terrorist group are ongoing.