Military intervention against ISIL

Military intervention against ISIL
Conflict	Military intervention against ISIL
Partof	the War on terror, the Syrian civil war, and the Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017)
Date	4 August 2014 – present
Place	Primarily Iraq and Syria, with operations in other regions
Result	Ongoing
Combatant1	International coalition, United States, United Kingdom, France, Iraq, Syrian Democratic Forces, Various other allies
Combatant2	Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Commander1	Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Haider al-Abadi, Mazloum Abdi
Commander2	Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi

Military intervention against ISIL refers to the multinational campaign launched to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a militant group that seized large territories in Iraq and Syria in 2014. The intervention, spearheaded by a United States-led coalition, involved extensive airstrikes, special forces operations, and support for local ground forces. Its stated objectives included degrading and ultimately destroying the group's territorial control, financial resources, and leadership structure.

Background and origins

The rise of ISIL can be traced to the aftermath of the Iraq War and the power vacuum created by the Syrian civil war. The group, an outgrowth of al-Qaeda in Iraq, capitalized on sectarian tensions and seized the city of Mosul in June 2014, declaring a self-proclaimed caliphate. This rapid expansion, marked by extreme violence and the persecution of Yazidis and other minorities, prompted global alarm. The Sinjar massacre and threats to Erbil and Baghdad catalyzed international calls for action, leading to the first airstrikes by the United States in August 2014 under President Barack Obama.

International coalition

Formally known as Operation Inherent Resolve, the coalition was assembled by the United States and eventually included over 80 member states, though with varying levels of contribution. Key military participants included the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Canada, providing aircraft, advisors, and logistical support. Regional partners such as Iraq and the Syrian Democratic Forces, led by the People's Protection Units (YPG), formed the primary ground forces. The coalition's efforts were coordinated from the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve headquarters, while separate campaigns were waged by Russia, the Syrian Arab Army, and other actors in the complex Syrian civil war.

Major military operations

The campaign featured numerous pivotal battles to reclaim territory from ISIL. In Iraq, key offensives included the Second Battle of Tikrit, the Battle of Ramadi (2015–16), and the grueling, nine-month Battle of Mosul (2016–17), which liberated the city. In Syria, coalition-backed forces engaged in the Siege of Kobanî, the Battle of al-Raqqah (2017), and the Battle of Deir ez-Zor (2017–2019). These operations often involved intense urban warfare and were supported by thousands of coalition airstrikes targeting ISIL positions, supply lines, and leadership figures like Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Impact and consequences

The military intervention significantly degraded ISIL's territorial control, dismantling its so-called caliphate by March 2019. However, the campaigns caused widespread destruction in cities like Mosul, Raqqa, and Aleppo, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis and mass displacement. The fighting exacerbated sectarian divisions and altered the regional balance of power, strengthening the influence of the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeastern Syria. Furthermore, the group adapted into a diffuse insurgency, continuing to launch attacks across Iraq and Syria and inspiring affiliates from Libya to the Philippines.

Timeline of key events

* 4 August 2014: First U.S. airstrikes in Iraq. * 22 September 2014: Coalition airstrikes expand into Syria. * January 2015: Kurdish forces, with coalition support, win the Siege of Kobanî. * October 2016: Start of the Battle of Mosul (2016–17). * June 2017: Start of the Battle of al-Raqqah (2017). * 21 March 2019: The Syrian Democratic Forces capture Baghuz Fawqani, marking the territorial defeat of the caliphate. * 26 October 2019: U.S. special forces raid kills Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Idlib Governorate. * 3 February 2022: U.S. operation kills his successor, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.

Aftermath and legacy

Following its territorial defeat, ISIL persists as a lethal insurgent network, conducting frequent attacks in both Iraq and Syria. The intervention left a complex geopolitical landscape, with ongoing tensions between Turkey, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and the Government of Syria. The United States maintains a reduced troop presence in eastern Syria for counterterrorism purposes. The campaign raised enduring questions about the efficacy of airstrike-centric warfare, the responsibilities of the international community in preventing atrocities, and the long-term challenges of stabilization in post-conflict regions like the Nineveh Governorate.

Category:War on terror Category:21st-century conflicts