Operation Inherent Resolve

Operation Inherent Resolve
Name	Operation Inherent Resolve
Partof	the military intervention against ISIL, the War in Iraq (2013–2017), and the Syrian civil war
Date	15 June 2014 – present
Place	Iraq and Syria (primarily), with support activities in neighboring countries
Result	Ongoing
Combatant1	Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, Iraq:, Iraqi Armed Forces, Peshmerga, Syria:, Syrian Democratic Forces, Revolutionary Commando Army
Combatant2	Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Commander1	United States Michael J. Barbero (first CJTF-OIR commander), United States James B. Jarrard, United States Paul J. LaCamera, United States Pat White
Commander2	Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Abu Ali al-Anbari, Abu Muslim al-Turkmani

Operation Inherent Resolve is the official name for the U.S. Department of Defense's military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Formally announced in October 2014, the operation encompasses a global coalition of over 80 nations providing military, financial, and political support to local ground forces in Iraq and Syria. Its stated objectives are to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL through a combination of airstrikes, training, advisory support, and equipment provision. The campaign is conducted by Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, headquartered initially at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.

Background and origins

The operation was launched in response to the rapid territorial expansion of ISIL in mid-2014, which saw the group capture major cities like Mosul and Tikrit and declare a Caliphate. This followed years of instability from the Syrian civil war and the War in Iraq (2013–2017). The Sinjar massacre and threats to Erbil prompted the first U.S. airstrikes in August 2014 under Operation Desert Shield. The formal establishment of a named operation came after the Kobanî massacre and increasing international pressure for a coordinated response, culminating in a mandate from the United States Congress and support from the United Nations Security Council.

Military operations and strategy

The strategy employed a "by, with, and through" approach, relying on local partner forces to conduct ground operations while the coalition provided enabling support. Key campaigns included the Battle of Mosul (2016–2017), the Battle of Raqqa (2017), and the Al-Hawl offensive. Military tactics combined intensive airstrikes from aircraft like the F-22 Raptor and B-52 Stratofortress with the deployment of special operations forces such as the Delta Force and British Special Forces. The coalition also targeted ISIL's financial networks and infrastructure, including oil smuggling routes and media centers, through operations like Tidal Wave II.

Participating forces and coalition

The core military effort was led by the United States Armed Forces, with significant contributions from the British Armed Forces, the French Armed Forces, and the Australian Defence Force. Regional partners included the Iraqi Armed Forces, the Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and in Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces dominated by the People's Protection Units. Other notable contributors were the Royal Jordanian Air Force, the Royal Saudi Air Force, and the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. The political coalition was broad, including members of the Arab League, NATO, and the European Union.

Impact and consequences

The operation significantly degraded ISIL's territorial control, leading to the liberation of approximately 110,000 square kilometers of territory and over 7.7 million people by 2019. Major humanitarian crises occurred during urban battles, notably the Siege of Deir ez-Zor (2014–2017) and the Fall of Ramadi. The campaign also had profound regional effects, altering the balance of power in the Syrian civil war and strengthening the autonomy of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. The destruction of cultural heritage sites like Nimrud and the Mosul Museum was a significant cultural loss.

Legal and political aspects

The operation was conducted under the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force and the 2002 Iraq Authorization for Use of Military Force in the United States, with the Iraqi government formally requesting assistance. In Syria, the legal justification cited the collective self-defense of Iraq under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The campaign faced political scrutiny regarding civilian casualties documented by Airwars and Amnesty International, as well as debates over the War Powers Resolution. The Trump administration shifted policy, notably during the 2018 missile strikes against Syria.

Timeline of key events

* **June 2014:** ISIL captures Mosul; the Obama administration deploys advisors. * **August 2014:** First U.S. airstrikes in Iraq; Sinjar massacre occurs. * **September 2014:** Coalition airstrikes begin in Syria. * **November 2014:** Battle of Kobanî begins, a major turning point. * **May 2015:** ISIL captures Ramadi. * **October 2016:** Mosul offensive launches. * **June 2017:** Raqqa campaign begins. * **December 2017:** Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declares victory over ISIL in Iraq. * **March 2019:** SDF declares the territorial defeat of the ISIL caliphate. * **2020–present:** Focus shifts to counter-insurgency and stabilization.

Category:2010s in Iraq Category:2010s in Syria Category:War against the Islamic State Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war