Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein says Baghdad is monitoring ISIS activity across the Syrian border and strengthening its forces as the American military mission in Iraq comes to an end.

Iraq is preparing for the possibility that Islamic State (ISIS) militants could cross into its territory from neighboring Syria, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Thursday. His warning came one day after the U.S. military officially concluded its counterterrorism mission in Iraq.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C., Hussein said Iraqi authorities are keeping a close watch on increased ISIS activity in Syria. He cautioned that an influx of fighters across the border could create a renewed security challenge for Iraq.

“We are worried about ISIS activities inside Syria,” Hussein said, explaining that Iraqi security forces are preparing to respond to any attempts by the terrorist organization to approach or cross the border. He nevertheless maintained that Iraq now has the military capabilities to confront ISIS without the extensive U.S.-led coalition presence that helped dismantle the group’s territorial caliphate.

“If they would be capable to cross the border, that would be once again a threat to our security,” Hussein said. “We are preparing ourselves – if there will be any movement from inside Iraq — to fight them and to defeat them.”

His comments followed Wednesday’s departure of the remaining American personnel assigned to Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led campaign against ISIS in Iraq.

President Donald Trump presented the conclusion of the mission as a success in the fight against the terrorist organization, declaring that ISIS had been “completely decimated.”

“We came to fight a caliphate, and there is no longer a caliphate, so we are going home,” Trump said. “This day is a victory for the United States, a victory for Iraq, and a decisive victory over ISIS.”

Hussein’s concerns were underscored by developments in Syria just four days earlier. Syrian authorities announced that they had broken up an ISIS network operating in four provinces, arresting four senior members and confiscating explosives allegedly intended for attacks. Syrian security officials said the network had been involved in kidnappings, targeted killings and the placement of explosive devices.

American assessments indicate that ISIS has suffered significant losses and no longer represents a broad, systemic threat to Iraq. However, the organization continues to maintain smaller operational cells in both Iraq and Syria. The Pentagon has maintained that Iraqi forces can manage the remaining ISIS threat independently, while American troops continue counterterrorism operations in Syria to prevent the group from rebuilding its capabilities.

Iraq’s Long History of Conflict and the End of the US Mission

The American withdrawal concludes a military involvement in Iraq that, in various forms, extended over more than 20 years and had a lasting impact on U.S. foreign policy.

The 2003 American invasion removed Saddam Hussein from power but was followed by years of insurgency and sectarian conflict. Before U.S. forces completed their withdrawal in 2011, nearly 4,500 American service members had been killed.

In 2014, American troops returned to Iraq after ISIS rapidly captured extensive territory across Iraq and Syria, including the major Iraqi city of Mosul, and announced the establishment of its self-proclaimed caliphate.

Washington subsequently launched Operation Inherent Resolve, assembling an international coalition to support Iraqi forces in retaking territory seized by ISIS.

With that mission now concluded, Baghdad intends to maintain a direct security partnership with Washington. However, formal negotiations over the structure of the future relationship have yet to begin.

Hussein said the two governments had discussed maintaining security cooperation in principle during negotiations surrounding the coalition’s departure. Specific arrangements still need to be determined, including whether American assistance involving military training, intelligence exchanges and other forms of cooperation will continue.

Baghdad Faces Pressure to Rein In Iran-Backed Militias

Alongside the ISIS challenge, Iraq is attempting to bring armed factions backed by Iran and operating outside the country’s official security establishment under direct government authority. The issue has been a longstanding point of disagreement between Baghdad and Washington.

Iraqi authorities initially established September 30, the date associated with the coalition’s withdrawal, as the deadline for these groups to surrender their weapons or formally submit to state control. That timetable has since been pushed back to June 2027, as several influential factions continue resisting efforts to disarm them.

Hussein said one militia organization released a statement Thursday expressing support for the government’s initiative, with another group expected to make a similar announcement within 24 hours. Discussions with additional factions are continuing.

“A single group will not be allowed to take the decision in their hands and attack other countries,” Hussein said.

Iraqi Territory Drawn Into the US-Iran Conflict

The issue of armed groups operating independently of the Iraqi government has become more pressing as Baghdad attempts to manage the consequences of the conflict involving the United States and neighboring Iran.

Hussein confirmed that a recent strike against Saudi Arabia originated from Iraqi territory near the Iranian border. Iraqi authorities have opened an investigation and are consulting with both Saudi Arabia and Iran over the incident.

The foreign minister said he had spoken with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan following the attack and intends to travel to Riyadh for additional discussions. He emphasized that the investigation has not yet been completed.

Hussein also described Iraq as being caught between Washington and Tehran, saying that Iraqi territory had been struck by both sides during the conflict.

“We became a victim of this war,” Hussein said.

He added that Baghdad has been urging both the American and Iranian governments to pursue a diplomatic resolution, while working to prevent Iraq from becoming further entangled in the fighting.