US-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021)

The US-led intervention in Iraq (2014–2021) was a multifaceted military campaign initiated at the invitation of the Iraqi government to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as Daesh. The intervention comprised primarily airstrikes, training, and advisory roles for Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.

Background

Following the withdrawal of US forces in 2011, Iraq experienced a resurgence of sectarian violence and political instability. Exploiting these vulnerabilities, ISIS, a militant group originating from al-Qaeda in Iraq, seized significant territory in Iraq and Syria in 2014, declaring a self-proclaimed caliphate. The rapid advance of ISIS and its atrocities against civilian populations, including the Yazidi people, prompted international concern and a response led by the United States.

Coalition Formation and Objectives

The US assembled a coalition of international partners, including countries from Europe, the Middle East, and Australia, to counter ISIS. The stated objectives of the intervention were to:

• Degrade and ultimately defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
• Support the Iraqi government in regaining control of its territory.
• Protect civilian populations from ISIS atrocities.
• Strengthen the capacity of Iraqi Security Forces.

Military Operations

The US-led coalition conducted thousands of airstrikes against ISIS targets in Iraq, including command and control centers, training camps, weapons depots, and troop concentrations. Coalition forces also provided training, equipment, and intelligence support to Iraqi Security Forces and Peshmerga fighters. Special Operations Forces (SOF) were deployed to conduct targeted raids and provide on-the-ground assistance to local forces.

Key battles during the intervention included:

• The recapture of Mosul (2016-2017): A protracted and costly urban battle that resulted in the liberation of Iraq's second-largest city from ISIS control.
• The recapture of Ramadi (2015-2016): An important victory for the ISF, demonstrating their growing capabilities.
• The recapture of Fallujah (2016): Another significant blow to ISIS control in the Anbar province.

End of Combat Operations and Continued Presence

In December 2017, the Iraqi government declared victory over ISIS, announcing the liberation of all Iraqi territory from the group's control. While ISIS was territorially defeated, the group remained a threat, capable of conducting insurgent attacks.

The US and coalition forces continued to maintain a military presence in Iraq after 2017, focusing on advising, training, and assisting the ISF in their efforts to prevent the resurgence of ISIS.

In December 2021, the US formally ended its combat mission in Iraq, transitioning to an advisory role. Although the United States has withdrawn combat forces, a residual force remains in Iraq to continue training and advising the ISF.

Criticisms and Controversies

The US-led intervention in Iraq was not without its criticisms and controversies, including:

• Civilian casualties resulting from airstrikes.
• Concerns about the effectiveness of training programs for Iraqi Security Forces.
• Allegations of human rights abuses committed by Iraqi Security Forces.
• The broader impact of the intervention on regional stability.
• The long-term implications of the US military presence in Iraq.