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Insurgency in Iraq since the defeat of ISIL From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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).
| Islamic State insurgency in Iraq (2017–present) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Iraqi conflict and war against the Islamic State | |||||||
_March_2020.jpg) The ISOF, which played the biggest role in curbing IS, in a military parade | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
Supported by:  Netherlands[3] |
 Islamic State White Flags | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Former Killed:
 Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa |
Killed:
| ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| |||||||
| Strength | |||||||
 Iraq:530,000 personnel (including paramilitary forces)[10] |
Islamic State: 5,000–7,000 (per UN, 2023, in Iraq and Syria)[11] 400–500 (per Iraq, 2023)[11] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
 3 killed[17] |
6,266 killed (as of December 2023) (Iraqi government claim)[18] | ||||||
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.[19] 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.[20]
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,[21] 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.[22] 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.[23]
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.[24][25]
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.[26]
In 2018, 3,643 IS 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.[27]
Notable[a] events this year include:
In 2019, 1,129 IS militants and 387 Iraqi security forces soldiers were killed.[28]
Notable[a] events this year include:
.jpg)
In 2020, 777 IS militants and 412 Iraqi security forces soldiers were killed.[29]
Notable[a] events this year include:
In 2021, 487 IS militants and 409 Iraqi security forces soldiers were killed.[30]
Notable[a] events this year include:
In 2022, 564 IS militants and 183 Iraqi security forces soldiers were killed. Furthermore, one US Marine died of non-combat related causes.[31]
Notable[a] events this year include:
In 2023, 281 IS militants, 61 Iraqi security forces and 3 French soldiers were killed.[32]
Notable[a] events this year include:
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