Islamic State insurgency in Iraq (2017–present)

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This article is about the insurgency in Iraq after the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. For the previous IS insurgency after the withdrawal of US troops in 2011, see Iraqi insurgency (2011–2013). For the insurgency in Iraq after the US invasion in 2003, see Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011).
Islamic State insurgency in Iraq (2017–present)
Part of the Iraqi conflict

Fighters of a self-defense group in northeastern Iraq in June 2018. IS still has a presence in remote areas of the country, often attacking small villages and forcing the locals to fight or flee.
Date9 December 2017 – present
(6 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 6 days)
Location
Iraq
Status Ongoing as a hit-and-run campaign
Belligerents

 Iraq

Rojava (cross-border cooperation since May 2018)[2]
Supported by:
CJTF-OIR (until 2021)

 Kurdistan Region

Supported by:
 Netherlands[3]		 Islamic State
White Flags
Commanders and leaders

Abdul Latif Rashid
(Commander in Chief)
Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani
(General Commander)
Abdel Emir Yarallah
(Chief of the General Staff)
Abdul Amir al-Shammari
(Minister of Interior)
Thabit Al Abassi
(Minister of Defence)
Abdel-Wahab al-Saadi
(Counter Terrorism Service)
Falih Alfayyadh
Qais Khazali
Hadi al-Amiri
Emmanuel Macron
Rishi Sunak
Joe Biden
Donald Trump
Lt. Gen. Paul LaCamera

Former
Killed:

Nechirvan Barzani
Masoud Barzani
Sirwan Barzani

Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa

Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi (Leader of IS)
Abu Hudhayfah Al-Ansari (Spokesmen)
Abu Fatima al-Jaheishi
Abu Jandal al-Masri
Abu Yusaf
Abu Muhammad al-Jazrawi
Sami Jasim Muhammad al-Jaburi (POW)[4]
Faysal Ahmad Ali al-Zahrani
Zulfi Hoxha †
Bajro Ikanović †
Ahlam al-Nasr
Hiwa Chor
Assi al-Qawali (POW)

Killed:
Units involved

 Iraq

 Kurdistan Region

Islamic State

Strength
 Iraq:
530,000 personnel (including paramilitary forces)[9]		 Islamic State: 5,000–7,000 (per UN, 2023, in Iraq and Syria)[10]
400–500 (per Iraq, 2023)[10]
Casualties and losses
Unknown
8 killed, 2 HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters crashed[11][12]		 1,591 killed (as of December 2023) (Iraqi government claim)[13]

The Islamic State insurgency in Iraq is an ongoing low-intensity insurgency that began in 2017 after the Islamic State (IS) lost its territorial control in the War in Iraq, during which IS and allied White Flags fought the Iraqi military (largely backed by the United States, United Kingdom and other countries conducting airstrikes against IS) and allied paramilitary forces (largely backed by Iran).

Context[edit]

The insurgency is a direct continuation of the War in Iraq from 2013 to 2017, with IS continuing armed opposition against the Shia-led Iraqi Government. Along with the Islamic State, other insurgents fighting the government include a group known as the White Flags which is reportedly composed of former IS members and Kurdish rebels and is believed by the government of Iraq to be part of Ansar al-Islam and possibly affiliated with al-Qaeda.[14] The group operates mostly in the Kirkuk Governorate and has used an assortment of guerilla tactics against government forces. In September 2017, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of IS, called on IS supporters around the world to launch attacks on Western news media and continued in his message the IS must focus on combating the two-pronged attack on the Muslim Ummah; these statements marked a departure from previous rhetoric which was focused on the state building of IS and heralded a shift in IS's strategy toward a classical insurgency.[15]

Course of the insurgency[edit]

Since IS's loss of all territory in Iraq in late 2017 which was declared as Iraq's victory over IS and widely seen as an end to the war, and declared as such by Iraq's Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi,[16] multiple incidents of violence have occurred being carried out by the conflicting sides, in spite of Iraq's declaration of victory over IS the group is widely seen as far from gone and continues to retain a presence throughout Iraq, and still capable of carrying out attacks and skirmishes with pro-government forces.[17] IS has been waging a guerrilla war with a strong presence in the governorates of Kirkuk, Diyala, Saladin, and Sulaymaniyah, with local forces largely ill-equipped and inexperienced, IS has also taken advantage of the areas' rough terrain to carry out operations. IS has also made a notable presence in the cities of Kirkuk, Hawija and Tuz Khurmato and has carried out attacks at night in rural areas.

IS fighters also reportedly move through villages during the day without interference from security forces, and locals have been asked by IS to give fighters food and give information on the whereabouts of Iraqi personnel, locals have also stated that IS fighters will frequently enter into Mosques and ask for Zakat to fund the insurgency. Among IS's operations include assassinations, kidnappings, raids and ambushes.[18]

As of 2021, U.S. officials warned that IS "remains capable of waging a prolonged insurgency” but also described IS in Iraq as "diminished”. Iraqi intelligence estimated that IS has 2,000–3,000 fighters in Iraq.[19][20]

Following IS's defeat in December 2017, they have been greatly weakened and violence in Iraq has been sharply reduced. 23 civilians lost their lives from violence-related incidents during November 2021, the lowest figure in 18 years.[21]

Timeline[edit]

2018[edit]

Main article: Timeline of Islamic State insurgency in Iraq (2018)
1st Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment of the US Army drill with the Battelle Drone Defender in Iraq, 30 October 2018. US troops anticipate ISIS units deploying drones during reconnaissance or attacks

In 2018, 3,643 ISIS militants, 937 Iraqi security forces, 11 American service members, 1 British service member were killed. The death toll in this year was noted to be the lowest since 2003, when the United States invaded the country.[22]

Notable[a] events this year include:

2019[edit]

Main article: Timeline of Islamic State insurgency in Iraq (2019)
Coalition airstrike on IS positions, Qanus Island, Iraq, September 2019

In 2019, 1,129 ISIS militants and 387 Iraqi security forces soldiers were killed.[23]

Notable[a] events this year include:

  • 2019 Karbala bombing: On 20 September, 2019, a bomb exploded on a minibus near Karbala, Iraq, killing 12 civilians and injuring at least five others. The bombing was one of the worst attacks against civilians since the end of the War in Iraq of 2013 to 2017.
  • 2019 K-1 Air Base attack: A rocket attack was carried out on the K-1 Air Base in Kirkuk province in Iraq on 27 December 2019. The air base was one of many Iraqi military bases that host Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) personnel and, according to the coalition, was attacked by more than 30 rockets. The identity of the perpetrators is disputed.

2020[edit]

Main article: Timeline of Islamic State insurgency in Iraq (2020)
Marines of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines packing up gear to withdraw from Al-Taqaddum Air Base, 24 March 2020

In 2020, 777 IS militants and 412 Iraqi security forces soldiers were killed.[24]

Notable[a] events this year include:

2021[edit]

Main article: Timeline of Islamic State insurgency in Iraq (2021)
On 6 February 2021, the coalition's CTEF (Counter-IS Train and Equip Fund) program delivered 15 land cruisers and 36 M249 Squad Automatic Weapons to Iraqi security forces at Al Asad Airbase.

In 2021, 487 ISIS militants and 409 Iraqi security forces soldiers were killed.[25]

Notable[a] events this year include:

2022[edit]

Main article: Timeline of Islamic State insurgency in Iraq (2022)

In 2022, 564 ISIS militants and 183 Iraqi security forces soldiers were killed. Furthermore, one US Marine died of non-combat related causes.[26]

Notable[a] events this year include:

2023[edit]

Main article: Timeline of Islamic State insurgency in Iraq (2023)

In 2023, 281 ISIS militants, 61 Iraqi security forces and 3 French soldiers were killed.[27]

2024[edit]

Main article: Timeline of Islamic State insurgency in Iraq (2024)

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Defined as passing Wikipedia's notability guidelines and warranting an independent article

References[edit]

  1. ^ "For this Iraqi tribe massacred by Isis, the fear never truly goes away". Independent. Archived from the original on 2018-10-06. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
  2. ^ "U.S.-backed Syrian forces resume battle against Islamic State". Reuters. May 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-12-02. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
  3. ^ Kurdistan24. "Dutch army to continue support for Kurdish Peshmerga forces". Archived from the original on 2018-10-06. Retrieved 2018-10-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Reuters Staff (2021-10-11). "Iraqi forces capture deputy of IS slain leader Baghdadi – PM". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  5. ^ agencies, Staff and (13 March 2022). "Islamic State names new leader, confirming US raid killed predecessor". the Guardian. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  6. ^ "رئيس الحكومة العراقية: تنفيذ حكم الإعدام ضد المدانين بتفجير الكرادة عام 2016 – بوابة الشروق". www.shorouknews.com (in Arabic).
  7. ^ "The so-called 'Emir Hawi the Great' was killed by air strikes in Hamrin". NINA News.
  8. ^ "عاجل ... لواء علي الأكبر يتقدم بأربعة محاور من شمال الطوز للقضاء على الرايات البيضاء". www.wr-news.net. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  9. ^ Yuan, Shawn. "Iraqi military marks 101st anniversary as US ends combat mission". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  10. ^ a b National, The (2023-03-13). "Iraqi general says there are only 5000 ISIS fighters left in Iraq". The National. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  11. ^ "7 US service members killed in Iraq helicopter crash – CNNPolitics". Archived from the original on 2018-11-01. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  12. ^ "1 dead, others hurt after U.S. Helicopter crashes in Iraq". NBC News. Archived from the original on 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  13. ^ References: Griffis, Margaret (2019-01-02). "7,201 Killed in Iraq During 2018, Lowest Since US Invasion". Antiwar.com Original. Retrieved 2021-08-11."Iraq Yearly Roundup: 3,092 People Were Killed in 2019". Antiwar.com Original. 2020-01-02. Retrieved 2021-08-11."Iraq Yearly Roundup: 1,942 Killed During 2020". Antiwar.com Original. 2021-01-01. Retrieved 2021-08-11."Iraq Yearly Roundup: 1,625 Killed During 2021". Antiwar.com Original. 2022-01-01. Retrieved 2022-01-01."Iraq Monthly Roundup: 125 Killed in January". Antiwar.com Original. 2022-01-31. Retrieved 2022-01-31."Iraq Monthly Roundup: 142 Killed in February". Antiwar.com Original. 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-02-28."Iraq Monthly Roundup: 97 Killed During March". Antiwar.com Original. 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2022-03-31."Iraq Monthly Roundup: 173 Killed During April". Antiwar.com Original. 2022-05-01. Retrieved 2022-05-01."Iraq Monthly Roundup: 165 Killed in June". Antiwar.com Original. 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2022-07-01."Iraq Monthly Roundup: 196 Killed During May". Antiwar.com Original. 2022-06-01. Retrieved 2022-07-01."Iraq Monthly Roundup: 112 Killed". Antiwar.com Original. 2022-07-31. Retrieved 2022-07-31."Iraq Monthly Roundup: 168 Killed". Antiwar.com Original. 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2022-09-01."Iraq Monthly Roundup: 179 Killed during September". Antiwar.com Original. 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2022-09-30."Iraq Monthly Roundup: 105 Killed in October". Antiwar.com Original. 2022-10-31. Retrieved 2022-10-31."Iraq Monthly Roundup: 95 Killed". Antiwar.com Original. 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-11-30."Iraq Annual Roundup: 1,681 Killed in 2022". Antiwar.com Original. 2023-01-01. Retrieved 2023-01-01."Iraq Monthly Roundup: 49 Killed". Antiwar.com Original. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-01-01.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ "A 'post-ISIS insurgency' is gaining steam in Iraq". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2018-10-03. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  15. ^ Bilal, Giath (22 December 2017). "Defeating ISISl". Zenith.
  16. ^ Chmaytelli, Maher (9 December 2017). "Iraq declares final victory over Islamic State". Reuters. Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  17. ^ "ISIS returns to Iraq, and a town confronts a new wave of terror". PBS NewsHour. 16 September 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-10-04. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  18. ^ Foltyn, Simona (16 September 2018). "The Underground Caliphate: ISIS Has Not Vanished. It Is Fighting a Guerrilla War Against the Iraqi State". The Intercept. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  19. ^ "Islamic State Resilient as Ever in Iraq, Syria | Voice of America – English". www.voanews.com. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  20. ^ "ISIS in Iraq: Weakened but Agile". Newlines Institute. 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  21. ^ "Iraq Body Count". www.iraqbodycount.org. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
  22. ^ Griffis, Margaret (2019-01-02). "7,201 Killed in Iraq During 2018, Lowest Since US Invasion". Antiwar.com. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  23. ^ Griffis, Margaret (2020-01-02). "Iraq Yearly Roundup: 3,092 People Were Killed in 2019". Antiwar.com. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  24. ^ Griffis, Margaret (2021-01-01). "Iraq Yearly Roundup: 1,942 Killed During 2020". Antiwar.com. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  25. ^ Griffis, Margaret (2022-01-03). "Iraq Annual Roundup: 1,625 Killed During 2021". Antiwar.com. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  26. ^ Griffis, Margaret (2023-01-02). "Iraq Annual Roundup: 1,681 Killed in 2022". Antiwar.com. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  27. ^ Griffis, Margaret (2024-01-02). "Iraq Yearly Roundup: 757 Killed During 2023". Antiwar.com. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
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