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Operation Inherent Resolve

Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) is the United States military's operational name for the international war against the Islamic State (IS or ISIL),[100] including both a campaign in Iraq and a campaign in Syria, with a closely related campaign in Libya. Through 18 September 2018, the U.S. Army's III Armored Corps was responsible for Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF—OIR) and were replaced by the XVIII Airborne Corps.[101] The campaign is primarily waged by American and British forces in support of local allies, most prominently the Iraqi security forces and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Combat ground troops, mostly special forces, infantry, and artillery have also been deployed, especially in Iraq. Of the airstrikes, 70% have been conducted by the military of the United States, 20% by the United Kingdom and the remaining 10% being carried out by France, Turkey, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and Jordan.[102]

Operation Inherent Resolve
Part of the international military intervention against the Islamic State and the War on terror

U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets of VFA-22 take off from USS Carl Vinson to support U.S. efforts for Operation Inherent Resolve in October 2014.
Date15 June 2014 – present
(10 years, 5 months and 1 week)
  • Iraq: 15 June 2014 – 9 December 2021
    (7 years, 5 months, 3 weeks and 3 days)
  • Syria: 22 September 2014 – present
    (10 years and 2 months)
  • Libya: 13 November 2015 – 30 October 2019
    (3 years, 11 months, 2 weeks and 3 days)
Location
  • Iraq
  • Syria
  • Libya
    • Status

    Ongoing

    • Territorial defeat of ISIL in Iraq on 9 December 2017.
    • Territorial defeat of ISIL in Syria on 23 March 2019.
    • ISIL defeated in Libya.
    • 110,000 square kilometers containing 7.7 million people captured from the Islamic State by Syrian Democratic Forces.
    Belligerents

     United States

     Islamic State[1][2][3]

    al-Qaeda

    Turkistan Islamic Party[8]

    Islamic Front (2013-15)

    Syrian Salvation Government (2017-present)

    Commanders and leaders

    Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi (leader of IS)
    Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi †
    Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi †
    Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi †
    [10][11]
    Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi †
    [12]
    Islamic State Abu Alaa Afri †
    (Deputy Leader of IS)[13]
    Islamic State Abu Mohammad al-Adnani † (Spokesperson)
    Abu Ayman al-Iraqi † (Head of Military Shura)[14]
    Abu Muslim al-Turkmani † (Deputy Leader, Iraq)[15]
    Abu Ali al-Anbari † (Deputy Leader, Syria)
    Abu Omar al-Shishani † (Field commander in Syria)[16][17]

    Abu Khayr al-Masri † (al-Qaeda deputy leader)[18]
    Abu Mohammad al-Julani (Leader of the al-Nusra Front))
    Abu Humam al-Shami †
    (al-Nusra Military Chief and Leader of Hurras al-Din)[19]
    Mohammed Islambouli (Leader of Khorasan)[20]
    Muhsin al-Fadhli † (Leader of Khorasan)[21]
    David Drugeon † (chief bombmaker)[22]

    Abu Yahia al-Hamawi (Emir of Ahrar al-Sham (2015–2017))[23]
    Abu Jaber Shaykh (Emir of Ahrar al-Sham (2014-2015); Emir of Tahrir al-Sham (2017))[24][25]

    Abu Mohammad al-Julani (Emir of Tahrir al-Sham (2017–present))
    Units involved

    Elements of:

    Islamic State Military of IS

    Strength
    United States:

    Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant:

    al-Qaeda:

    • Khorasan: 50[67]
    • Jund al-Aqsa: 2,100[6]

    Islamic Front

    Syrian Salvation Government

    Casualties and losses

     United States

    Islamic State Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant:

    • 80,000+ killed by American and allied airstrikes[85]
    • 32,000+ targets destroyed or damaged (as of 30 September 2016)[86]
      • 164 tanks
      • 388 HMMWVs
      • 2,638 pieces of oil infrastructure
      • 1,000+ fuel tanker trucks[87]
      • 2,000+ pick-up trucks, VBIEDs, and other vehicles

    (per coalition)

    al-Qaeda:

    Islamic Front

    • Ahrar ash-Sham:

    3 killed[88][90][91]
    Syrian Salvation Government:

    • Tahrir al-Sham:
      6 killed[92]

    Tens of thousands of civilians killed by IS (per Iraqi Body Count and SOHR)[93][94]
    Between 8,214 and 13,125 civilians killed by Coalition airstrikes in Syria and Iraq (per Airwars)[95]
    1,335 civilians killed by Coalition Operations (per AirWars)[95]

    Over 970,000 civilians in Iraq and Syria displaced, or fled to Turkey and other countries[96][97][98][99]
    U.S. soldiers from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division in Syria during Operation Inherent Resolve, 23 November 2020

    According to the Pentagon, by March 2019, the day of the territorial defeat in Syria of IS, CJTF-OIR and its partner forces had liberated nearly 110,000 square kilometers (42,471 square miles) of land and 7.7 million people from IS, the vast majority of the self-proclaimed caliphate's territory and subjects.[103] By October 2017, around the time of IS's territorial defeat in Iraq, CJTF-OIR claimed that around 80,000 IS militants had been killed by it and its allies (excluding those targeted by Russian and Syrian Air Force strikes). By the end of August 2019, it had conducted 34,573 strikes.[85][104][105] Tens of thousands more were killed by partner forces on the ground (the SDF alone claimed to have killed 25,336 IS fighters by the end of 2017).[106]

    History

    edit
    Further information: American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021), American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War, and American intervention in Libya (2015–2019)

    2014

    edit
    Further information: Timeline of the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War § 2014, and American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) § Obama's decision for airstrikes

    Unlike their coalition partners, and unlike previous combat operations, no name was initially given to the conflict against IS by the U.S. government.[107] The decision to keep the conflict nameless drew considerable media criticism.[108][109][110][111][112]

    The U.S. decided in October 2014 to name its military efforts against IS as "Operation Inherent Resolve"; the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) news release announcing the name noted that:

    According to CENTCOM officials, the name INHERENT RESOLVE is intended to reflect the unwavering resolve and deep commitment of the U.S. and partner nations in the region and around the globe to eliminate the terrorist group ISIL and the threat they pose to Iraq, the region and the wider international community. It also symbolizes the willingness and dedication of coalition members to work closely with our friends in the region and apply all available dimensions of national power necessary—diplomatic, informational, military, economic—to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL.[113]

    The US Defense Department announced at the end of October 2014 that troops operating in support of Operation Inherent Resolve after 15 June were eligible for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.[114][115]

    By 4 December 2014, three U.S. service members had died from accidents or non-combat injuries.[116]

    2015

    edit

    In November of 2015, Commodore Captain Augustus Bennett commanding the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) Amphibious Ready Group entered the 5th Fleet AOR in conjunction with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit under the command of Colonel Robert Fulford, consisting of the, USS Arlington (LPD-24) and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51)[117] to commence airstrikes on IS. Prior to this, the ARG rendezvoused with the Turkish Navy for Egemen 2015.[118] They concluded their OIR mission on March 10 with a total of 130 sorties and 60 strikes.[119]

    Further information: Timeline of the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War § 2015, and American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) § 2015
    See also: Operation Tidal Wave II

    On 22 October 2015, a U.S. Master Sergeant, Joshua Wheeler, was killed in action when he, with about 30 other U.S. special operations soldiers and a Peshmerga unit, conducted a prison break near Hawija in the disputed territories of Northern Iraq, in which about 70 hostages were rescued, five IS members were captured and "a number" were killed or wounded.[120] Sergeant First Class Thomas Payne was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the operation. The Kurdistan Regional Government said after the raid that none of the 15 prisoners it was intended to rescue were found.[121][122]

    From May, North American Rockwell OV-10 Broncos joined the operation, flying more than 120 combat sorties over 82 days. It is speculated they provided close air support for special forces missions. The experiment ended satisfactorily, but a US Air Force spokesman stated it remains unlikely they will invest in reactivating the OV-10 on a regular basis because of the overhead cost of operating an additional aircraft type.[123][124]

    2016

    edit
    Further information: Timeline of the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War § 2016, and American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) § 2016

    By 9 March 2016, nearly 11,000 airstrikes had been launched on IS (and occasionally Al-Nusra), killing over 27,000 fighters[125] and striking over 22,000 targets, including 139 tanks, 371 Humvees, and 1,216 pieces of oil infrastructure. Approximately 80% of these airstrikes have been conducted by American forces, with the remaining 20% being launched by other members of the coalition, such as the United Kingdom and Australia. 7,268 strikes hit targets in Iraq, while 3,602 hit targets in Syria.[86] On 12 June 2016, it was reported that 120 IS leaders, commanders, propagandists, recruiters and other high-value individuals were killed so far this year.[126]

    Until March 2016, U.S. military members were ineligible for Campaign Medals and other service decorations due to the continuing ambiguous nature of the continuing U.S. involvement in Iraq.[127] However, on 30 March 2016, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced the creation of a new medal, named "Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal".[128]

    On 3 June 2016, aircraft flying from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Mediterranean Sea began airstrikes on IS.[129] On 16 June 2016, AV-8B II+ Harriers of the 13th MEU flying from the USS Boxer in the Persian Gulf also began airstrikes on IS, marking the first time the U.S. Navy used ship-based aircraft from both the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf at the same time during Operation Inherent Resolve.[130]

    By 27 July 2016, U.S. and coalition partners had conducted more than 14,000 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria: Nearly 11,000 of those strikes were from U.S. aircraft and the majority of the strikes (more than 9,000) were in Iraq. Of the 26,374 targets hit, nearly 8,000 were against IS fighting positions, while approximately 6,500 hit buildings; IS staging areas and oil infrastructure were each hit around 1,600 times.[131] On 15 December 2016, the U.K. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said that "more than 25,000 Daesh fighters have now been killed," a number that was half of the United States' estimate.[132] When asked about this discrepancy, the UK's Ministry of Defense said that it stood by his estimate.[132]

    Since the first U.S. airstrikes on IS targets in Iraq on 8 August 2014, over two years, the U.S. military has spent over $8.4 billion fighting IS.[133]

    BBC News reported in 2017 that according to the American think tank Council on Foreign Relations, in 2016 alone, the U.S. dropped 12,192 bombs in Syria and 12,095 in Iraq.[134]

    Operation Odyssey Lightning

    edit

    From August to December 2016, the U.S. conducted another similar operation in Libya, code-named Operation Odyssey Lightning, during the battle to capture Sirte, which was the local capital of IS's Libyan branch.[135][136] In September 2017, the US Africa Command announced that 495 precision airstrikes were carried out and 800 to 900 IS fighters were killed during the operation in Sirte between 1 August and 19 December 2016.[137] On 18 January 2017, US B-2 bombers bombed two IS camps to the south of Sirte, killing ninety IS militants.

    2017

    edit
    Further information: Timeline of the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War § 2017, and American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) § 2017

    According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Coalition airstrikes have killed 7,043 people across Syria, of which: 5,768 dead were IS fighters, 304 Al-Nusra Front militants and other rebels, 90 government soldiers and 881 civilians. The air strikes occurred in the period between 22 September 2014 and 23 January 2017.[138]

    In March 2017, various media outlets reported that conventional forces from the 11th MEU, as well as special operations forces in the form of the 75th Ranger Regiment[139] deployed to Syria to support U.S.-backed forces in liberating Raqqa from IS occupation. The deployment marked an escalation in the U.S. intervention in Syria.[140]

    By 28 February, the Coalition had conducted 3,271 sorties in 2017, 2,129 of which resulted in at least one weapon released. In total, the coalition released 7,040 weapons in Iraq and Syria in this same time period in an effort to destroy IS.[141]

    As of 9 August 2017, coalition aircraft flew a total of 167,912 sorties, and conducted 13,331 strikes in Iraq and 11,235 strikes in Syria, for a total of 24,566 strikes.[142]

    2018

    edit
    Further information: Timeline of the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War § 2018, and American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) § 2018

    In February 2018, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division was awarded a campaign streamer following its deployment to Iraq. In May 2016, the brigade deployed to advise and assist, train and equip Iraqi security forces to fight the Islamic State of Iraq. The 2nd Brigade also conducted precision surface-to-surface fires and supported a multitude of intelligence and logistical operations for coalition and Iraqi forces. They also provided base security throughout more than twelve areas of operations. The Brigade also aided in the clearance of IS from Fallujah, the near elimination of suicide attacks in Baghdad, and the introduction of improved tactics that liberated more than 100 towns and villages. The 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division also played a significant role in the liberation of Mosul.[143]

    2019

    edit
    Further information: Timeline of the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War § 2019, and American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) § 2019

    In early 2019, the US-led coalition focused on the final assault on ISIS in the Euphrates pocket, including the Battle of Baghuz Fawqani in the first quarter of the year. Civilian human shields held by ISIS were among the victims, including in one reported massacre on 19 March in which up to 300 civilians, including 45 children, were alleged to have been killed by Coalition forces.[144]

    From 8 August 2014, to 29 August 2019, coalition aircraft conducted a total of 34,573 strikes.[105]

    On 27 October 2019, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed during the Barisha raid in Idlib Governorate.[145]

    On 31 December 2019, the CJTF-OIR reported its forces were "closely monitoring the current situation of the protests at the US Embassy in Baghdad", adding that they were "taking the appropriate force protection measures to ensure [US Embassy personnel] safety".[146]

    2020

    edit
    Further information: Timeline of the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War § 2020, and American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) § 2020

    CJTF-OIR paused all training and anti-ISIS operations on 5 January 2020, to focus on protecting Iraqi bases hosting Coalition troops in the wake of several rocket attacks.[147] This action was also linked to the anticipated response against Coalition forces in the wake of the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.[148] In March 2020, the U.S. military started to withdraw from various bases in Iraq.[149]

    2021

    edit
    Further information: Timeline of the American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war § 2021, and American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) § 2021

    On 31 March 2021, Carrier Air Wing Three launched naval flight operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its carrier strike group were expected to lead Task Force 50, which oversees Operation Inherent Resolve's naval strike operations.[150]

    2022

    edit
    Further information: Timeline of the American-led intervention in the Syrian civil war § 2022

    2023

    edit

    On 3 April, U.S. forces killed senior Islamic State leader Khalid 'Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri, who was allegedly planning attacks in Europe during Easter, in an overnight drone strike on the outskirts of rebel-held town of Killi, Idlib in northwest Syria.[151]

    On 9 July, US Central Command announced that a U.S. MQ-9 drone which had been harassed by Russian aircraft for almost two hours had on 7 July killed an ISIS leader called Usamah al-Muhajir,[152] who had been riding his motorcycle on the road linking al-Bab with Bizaah.[153]

    On 24 August, the U.S. Military stated that Major General Joel ‘JB’ Vowell had assumed command of anti-ISIS operation also known as Operation Inherent Resolve, from Major General Matthew McFarlane.[154]

    On 20 November, the United States Central Command has announced that, in the months of September and October, it has conducted, along with coalition and other partners, a total of 79 operations in Iraq and Syria resulting in 13 ISIS operatives killed and 78 detained.[155][156]

    Breakdown by country[155][156]
    Country Operations ISIS operatives
    Type Count Killed Detained
      Iraq Partnered 53 10 33
      Syria Partnered 23 3 45
    US-only 3
    Total 79 13 78
    Breakdown by month[156]
    Month Operations ISIS operatives
    Count Killed Detained
    September 31 8 19
    October 48 5 59
    Total 79 13 78

    2024

    edit

    On 30 August, United States Central Command reported that "[U.S.] forces and Iraqi Security Forces conducted a partnered raid in Western Iraq in the early hours of Aug. 29, resulting in the death of 15 ISIS operatives."[157] It was later confirmed that 7 U.S. troopers were injured during the operation.[158]

    Assets

    edit
    Further information: Military intervention against the Islamic State aerial order of battle

    United States Air Force, United States Navy & United States Marine Corps units that are participating in this operations can be found in the aerial and ground order of battle.

      United States Army

    U.S. and coalition forces are training Iraqi forces at four sites: in al-Asad in Anbar province, Erbil in the north, and Taji and Besmayah in the Baghdad area.

      Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Iraq[31]

    Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion

      United States Marine Corps

    Military bases

    edit
    See also: List of United States military bases § Iraq, and List of United States military bases § Syria
     
    An SDF-U.S. military base in northeastern Syria, near Rmelan, in 2021.[166]

    During the operation in Syria, there were several bases mostly in the north:[167]

    However, following the 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria, most U.S. soldiers withdrew from northern Syria to western Iraq in October 2019,[178] while even bombing their own Lafarge basement near Harab Isk.[179]

    Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that the Pentagon was planning to "leave 150 Special Operations forces at a base called al-Tanf".[180] In addition, 200 U.S. soldiers would remain in eastern Syria near the oil fields, to prevent the Islamic State, Syrian government and Russian forces from advancing in the region.[181] However, at least 600–900 U.S. Troops are expected to stay in Syria,[182] in Al-Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor Governorates.[183] In July 2020, the U.S. military built a new base including an airport, located between Um Kahif village and Tal Alu silos near Al-Yaarubiyah.[184]

    Casualties

    edit
     
    Command Sergeant Major Walter C. Puckett greets coalition personnel in Al-Hasakah, Syria on 18 August 2021

    According to Airwars, in 2014 there were 63 incidents involving the US-led coalition in Iraq and Syria in which there were civilian casualties, causing at least 160 civilian deaths. In 2015, there were 268 incidents and 708 deaths. In 2016, there were 483 incidents and 1,372 deaths. Civilian casualties peaked in 2017, with 1,841 incidents and at least 4,677 civilian deaths.[144]

    According to Airwars, 1,472 civilians were killed by the U.S. air campaign in Iraq and Syria in March 2017 alone.[185] On 17 March, a U.S.-led coalition airstrike in Mosul killed more than 200 civilians.[186] Data compiled by Airwars shows that 229 strikes in Iraq and 878 strikes in Syria were carried out by Coalition forces in June 2017, killing an alleged total of 1,483 people. The reporting of 875 of those total alleged deaths is contested. In July 2017, Airwars recorded reports of an alleged 1,342 people were killed in Iraq and Syria by Coalition airstrikes. Of the allegations 812 were contested, and two were disproved.[187]

    Casualty figures fell after the 2017 peak. According to Airwars, 2018 saw 192 incidents and 846 deaths; 2019 saw 72 incidents and 467 deaths.[144] In 2019, the casualties were concentrated in the first quarter during the Battle of Baghuz Fawqani including an alleged massacre of civilian human shields on 19 March.[144]

    By 2020, Airwars had recorded a five-year total of 14,771 US-led Coalition strikes in Iraq and 19,829 in Syria and investigated 2,921 alleged civilian casualty incidents, estimating 8,259–13,135 civilian deaths, of whom around 2,000 were children, although the Coalition itself estimated just 1,377 or 1,417 civilian deaths.[188][189][190]

    The New York Times reported that efforts to minimize and count civilian deaths fell far short of the approach promised by the US military for its use of airstrikes in the war against IS. The newspaper reported that airstrikes against IS, as well as in the war in Afghanistan, was marked by "flawed intelligence, poor targeting and thousands of civilian deaths." It also reported that efforts to minimize civilian casualties diminished after President Trump assumed office in 2017, stating "... the authority to approve strikes was pushed further down the chain of command, even as an overwhelming majority of strikes were carried out in the heat of war, and not planned far in advance." Finally, the paper reported that the US military systematically under-reported casualties, providing a total death count of 1,417, when the actual count was significantly higher. The report states that the military made little effort to accurately determine civilian casualties after the airstrikes. The military was also reluctant to divulge information about the casualties, in spite of promises of transparency, and news media were required to make numerous requests under the Freedom of Information Act, and had to repeatedly sue the US military to produce data.[191][192][193]

    Talon Anvil

    edit

    During the years 2014 to 2019, an Air Force special operations group named Talon Anvil killed a significant number of non-combatant civilians, and often failed to follow US military protocols designed to minimize civilian casualties.[194] In one particular strike, the March 2019 Baghuz airstrike, approximately 50 women and children were killed, and the Air Force subsequently covered the deaths up.[195] The Talon Anvil group operated under the auspices of Task Force 9, which was the US military unit responsible for ground operations in the war against IS in Syria. The group consisted of about twenty plainclothes military personnel that operated out of anonymous office buildings in Iraq and Syria.[194] In December 2021, the US Secretary of Defense ordered an investigation into the civilian deaths caused by Talon Anvil's bombing strikes.[194]

    See also

    edit

    References

    edit
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