Operation Inherent Resolve

Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) is the U.S. military's operational name for the International military intervention against ISIL,[95] including both a campaign in Iraq and a campaign in Syria, with a closely-related campaign in Libya. Since 18 September 2018, the U.S. Army's III Armored Corps has been responsible for Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF—OIR).[96] The campaign is primarily waged by American air forces in support of local allies, most prominently the Iraqi security forces and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Combat ground troops, mostly special forces and artillery, have also been deployed, especially in Iraq. 75-80% of the airstrikes have been conducted by the military of the United States, with the other 20-25% by the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.[97]

Operation Inherent Resolve
Part of the Military intervention against ISIL, the War on terror, and the War in Iraq (2013–2017)

U.S. military 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
(6 years, 7 months, 3 weeks and 1 day)
  • Iraq: 15 June 2014 – present
    (6 years, 7 months, 3 weeks and 1 day)
  • Syria: 22 September 2014 – present
    (6 years, 4 months, 2 weeks and 1 day)
  • Libya: 13 November 2015 – present
    (5 years, 2 months, 3 weeks and 3 days)
Location
Iraq, Syria, and Libya
Status

Ongoing

  • Territorial defeat of ISIL in Iraq on 9 December 2017
  • Territorial defeat of ISIL in Syria on 23 March 2019
  • 110,000 square kilometers containing 7.7 million people captured from the Islamic State by U.S.-allied ground forces
Belligerents

 United States

 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant[1][2][3]

al-Qaeda

Turkistan Islamic Party[8]

Ahrar ash-Sham
(2014–18)[9]
Commanders and leaders

Joe Biden (President, 2021–present)
Donald Trump (President, 2017–2021)
Barack Obama (President, 2009–2017)

Mark Esper (Secretary of Defense, 2019 –present)
James Mattis (Secretary of Defense, 2017 – 2018)
Ashton Carter (Secretary of Defense, 2015–2017)
Chuck Hagel (Secretary of Defense, 2014–2015)
General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. (CENTCOM Commander, 2019 – present)
General Joseph Votel (CENTCOM Commander, 2016 – 2019)

General Lloyd Austin (CENTCOM Commander, 2014–2016)
Lieutenant General Robert P. White
Commanding General Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve
Major General Kevin M. Copsey[10]
(Deputy Commander-Stability CJTF-OIR)
Major General Alexus G. Grynkewich
(Deputy Commander-Operations and Intelligence CJTF-OIR)

Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi (Leader of ISIL)[11]
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi †[12] (Former leader of ISIL)
Abu Alaa Afri †
(Deputy Leader of ISIL)[13]
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, Tahrir al-Sham (2017–present))
Abu Jaber (Leader of Tahrir al-Sham, 2017)
Abu Humam al-Shami †
(al-Nusra Military Chief)[19]
Mohammed Islambouli (Leader of Khorasan)[20]
Muhsin al-Fadhli † (Leader of Khorasan)[21]

David Drugeon † (Chief bombmaker)[22]
Units involved

Elements of:

Military of ISIL

Strength

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant:

al-Qaeda:

Ahrar ash-Sham:

Casualties and losses

United States:

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant:

  • 80,000+ killed by American and allied airstrikes[81]
  • 32,000+ targets destroyed or damaged (as of 30 September 2016)[82]
    • 164 tanks
    • 388 HMMWVs
    • 2,638 pieces of oil infrastructure
    • 1,000+ fuel tanker trucks[83]
    • 2,000+ pick-up trucks, VBIEDs, and other vehicles

(per coalition)

al-Qaeda:

Ahrar ash-Sham:

Tens of thousands of civilians killed by ISIL (per Iraqi Body Count and SOHR)[88][89]
Between 8,214 and 13,125 civilians killed by Coalition airstrikes in Syria and Iraq (per Airwars)[90]
1,335 civilians killed by Coalition Operations (per Coalition)[90]

Over 970,000 civilians in Iraq and Syria displaced, or fled to Turkey and other countries[91][92][93][94]

According to the Pentagon, by March 2019, the day of the territorial defeat in Syria of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), 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 ISIL, the vast majority of the self-proclaimed caliphate's territory and subjects.[98] By October 2017, around the time of ISIL's territorial defeat in Iraq, CJTF-OIR claimed that around 80,000 ISIL 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.[81][99][100] Tens of thousands more were killed by partner forces on the ground (the SDF alone claimed to have killed 25,336 ISIL fighters by the end of 2017).[101]

History
Further information: American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present) and American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War

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

Unlike their coalition partners, and unlike previous combat operations, no name was initially given to the conflict against ISIL by the U.S. government.[102] The decision to keep the conflict nameless drew considerable media criticism.[103][104][105][106][107]

The U.S. decided in October 2014 to name its military efforts against ISIL 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.[108]

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.[109][110]

By 4 December 2014, three U.S. service members had died from accidents or non-combat injuries.[111]

2015
Further information: Timeline of the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War § 2015, and American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present) § 2015

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 ISIL members were captured and "a number" were killed or wounded.[112] 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.[113][114]

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.[115][116]

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

By 9 March 2016, nearly 11,000 airstrikes had been launched on ISIL (and occasionally Al-Nusra), killing over 27,000 fighters[117] 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.[82] On 12 June 2016, it was reported that 120 ISIL leaders, commanders, propagandists, recruiters and other high-value individuals were killed so far this year.[118]

  • 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.[119] However, on 30 March 2016, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced the creation of a new medal, named "Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal".[120]

On 3 June 2016, aircraft flying from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Mediterranean Sea began airstrikes on ISIL.[121] 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 ISIL, 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.[122]

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 ISIL fighting positions, while approximately 6,500 hit buildings; ISIL staging areas and oil infrastructure were each hit around 1,600 times.[123] 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.[124] When asked about this discrepancy, the UK's Ministry of Defense said that it stood by his estimate.[124]

Since the first U.S. airstrikes on ISIL targets in Iraq on 8 August 2014, over two years, the U.S. military has spent over $8.4 billion fighting ISIL.[125]

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.[126]

Operation Odyssey Lightning

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 ISIL's Libyan branch.[127][128] In September 2017, the US Africa Command announced that 495 precision airstrikes were carried out and 800 to 900 ISIL fighters were killed during the operation in Sirte between 1 August and 19 December 2016.[129] On 18 January 2017, US B-2 bombers bombed 2 ISIL camps to the south of Sirte, killing 90 ISIL militants.

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

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Coalition airstrikes have killed 7,043 people across Syria, of which: 5,768 dead were ISIL 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.[130]

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[131] deployed to Syria to support U.S.-backed forces in liberating Raqqa from ISIL occupation. The deployment marked an escalation in the U.S. intervention in Syria.[132]

By February 28, 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 ISIL.[133]

As of August 9, 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.[134]

2018
Further information: Timeline of the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War § 2018, and American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present) § 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 12 areas of operations. The Brigade also aided in the clearance of ISIL 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.[135]

2019
Further information: Timeline of the American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War § 2019, and American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present) § 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.[136]

From August 8, 2014 to August 29, 2019, coalition aircraft conducted a total of 34,573 strikes.[100]

On 27 October 2019, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed during the Barisha raid in Idlib Governorate.[137]

On December 31, 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".[138]

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

CJTF-OIR paused all training and anti-ISIS operations on January 5, 2020 to focus on protecting Iraqi bases hosting Coalition troops in the wake of several rocket attacks.[139] This action was also linked to the anticipated response against Coalition forces in the wake of the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.[140] In March 2020, the U.S. military started to withdraw from various bases in Iraq.[141]

Assets
Further information: Military intervention against ISIL 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[27]

United States Marine Corps

Military bases

During the operation in Syria, there were several bases mostly in the north:[148]

However, following the 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria, most U.S. soldiers withdrew from northern Syria to western Iraq in October 2019,[158] while even bombing their own Lafarge basement near Harab Isk.[159]

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that the Pentagon was planning to "leave 150 Special Operations forces at a base called al-Tanf".[160] 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.[161] However, at least 600–900 U.S. Troops are expected to stay in Syria,[162] in Al-Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor Governorates.[163] 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.[164]

Casualties

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.[136]

According to Airwars, 1,472 civilians were killed by the U.S. air campaign in Iraq and Syria in March 2017 alone.[165] On March 17, a U.S.-led coalition airstrike in Mosul killed more than 200 civilians.[166] 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.[167]

Casualty figures fell after the 2017 peak. According to Airwars, 2018 saw 192 incidents and 846 deaths; 2019 saw 72 incidents and 467 deaths.[136] 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.[136]

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 civilian deaths.[168]

See also

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