War in Iraq (2013–2017)

War in Iraq (2013–2017)
source
Conflict	War in Iraq (2013–2017)
Partof	the Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017), the War on Terror, and the International military intervention against ISIL
Date	2013 – December 9, 2017
Place	Iraq
Result	Iraqi government and allied victory
Combatant1	Iraqi Government and Allies:, Iraq, Popular Mobilization Forces, International Coalition:, United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Canada, Iran, Russia (from 2015)
Combatant2	Primary Insurgent Forces:, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Other Groups:, Ba'athist loyalists, Naqshbandi Army
Commander1	Haider al-Abadi, Fayyad al-Rawi, Qasem Soleimani, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, David Cameron, Theresa May
Commander2	Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Abu Ali al-Anbari, Abu Muslim al-Turkmani, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri

War in Iraq (2013–2017) was a major armed conflict primarily between the Government of Iraq, supported by an international coalition, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), alongside other insurgent groups. The war emerged from the instability following the Iraq War and the Syrian Civil War, culminating in ISIL's rapid territorial conquests in 2014 and the declaration of a caliphate. The conflict was characterized by intense urban warfare, widespread atrocities, and a complex multinational military intervention, concluding with the territorial defeat of ISIL in Iraq by late 2017.

Background and causes

The war's roots lie in the profound sectarian and political tensions exacerbated by the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the subsequent Iraq War. The policies of Nouri al-Maliki's government, which marginalized Sunni communities, fueled a renewed insurgency. The outbreak of the Syrian Civil War provided a fertile ground for the resurgence of al-Qaeda in Iraq, which later evolved into ISIL. The group capitalized on the security vacuum in Anbar and Nineveh provinces, exploiting local grievances against the Iraqi Armed Forces and the Central Government in Baghdad.

Major combatants and factions

The primary belligerent was the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which commanded a formidable force of jihadists and administered a proto-state. Opposing them was the Government of Iraq, led successively by Nouri al-Maliki and Haider al-Abadi, and its official security forces, including the Iraqi Army and Federal Police. A critical component of the fighting force was the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a coalition of predominantly Shia militias, many backed by Iran and advised by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. Other factions included remnants of the Ba'athist Naqshbandi Army, led by Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri.

Course of the war

The war escalated dramatically in early 2014 with the Fall of Mosul to ISIL, followed by their advance toward Baghdad. This prompted the formation of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and the initiation of Operation Inherent Resolve. Key battles included the Second Battle of Tikrit, the Battle of Ramadi (2015–16), and the pivotal, grueling Battle of Mosul (2016–2017), which lasted nine months and involved coalition airstrikes and advisors. Simultaneously, the Siege of Amirli and the Sinjar massacre highlighted the humanitarian crisis. The Iraqi government declared final victory following the Battle of al-Qa'im (2017) and the recapture of Rawa.

Aftermath and consequences

The conflict resulted in immense human suffering, with tens of thousands of civilian casualties and the internal displacement of over 3 million people, creating a protracted Iraqi displacement crisis. Cities like Mosul, Ramadi, and Fallujah were left in ruins. The war severely strained Iraq's infrastructure and economy, while solidifying the political and military influence of the Popular Mobilization Forces and Iran. Although territorially defeated, ISIL transitioned to a persistent insurgency, carrying out attacks across Iraq and Syria. The victory also intensified tensions between the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, leading to the 2017 Iraqi–Kurdish conflict.

International involvement and reactions

The United States led the International military intervention against ISIL, providing extensive air support, special forces advisors, and training through Operation Inherent Resolve. Key allies included the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Canada. Regional powers played decisive roles; Iran provided direct military support via the Quds Force and Shia militias, while Turkey conducted operations against ISIL and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq. Russia began its own air campaign in 2015, ostensibly targeting terrorist groups. The United Nations and organizations like Amnesty International documented widespread war crimes and humanitarian law violations by all sides.

Category:Wars involving Iraq Category:War on Terror Category:2010s conflicts