2017 Western Iraq campaign

2017 Western Iraq campaign
Part of the Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017) and the American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present)

Map of the Iraqi and PMU advances Western Iraq
Date26 October 2017 – 9 December 2017
(1 month, 1 week and 6 days)
LocationWestern Iraq
Result Decisive Iraqi victory
Territorial
changes
Belligerents

Iraq Iraq
Supported by:

CJTF–OIR
  Islamic State
Commanders and leaders
Iraq Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Yarallah[6] Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi[7]
Units involved

Iraq Iraqi pro-government forces

 Military of ISIL
Strength
Unknown 1,500 (CJTF-OIR estimate)[8]
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Western Iraq campaign was the final major military operation of the Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017), in the western province of Anbar, and on the border with Syria, with the goal of completely expelling ISIL forces from its last strongholds in Iraq.[9][10]

The offensive followed the Hawija offensive by the Iraqi Government, and was also concurrent with several major offensives in Syria: the Syrian Democratic Forces' Deir ez-Zor offensive, and the Syrian Government's Battle of Deir ez-Zor and Eastern Syria campaign on the opposite side of the Al-Qa'im border crossing.

Background

Al-Qa'im was known as a hotbed of jihadist insurgency, after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, with coalition forces carrying out repeated operations against Al-Qaeda jihadists. The strategic and porous border started becoming a route for foreign fighters entering Iraq from Syria, who was accused by Iraqi government of ignoring it.[11]

The towns of western Anbar were captured by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in 2014.[12] Before the 2017 offensive, Iraqi forces had dislodged the group from key cities of Anbar including Ramadi and Fallujah but the areas near border with Syria including Anah, Rawa, Al-Qaim and the vast rural areas across the province remained under militant control.[13] An Iraqi operation was launched towards west Anbar in January 2017, but was suspended after recapture of towns of Sagra and Zawiya because of preparations for retaking the western bank of Mosul.[14]

In September 2017, the Iraqi Army launched an offensive in the western Anbar Province, recapturing the towns of Akashat on 16 September and Anah on 21 September.[15] After recapturing Hawija on October 5, Iraqi Army was expected to fight ISIL in Anbar. Instead, it paused its military actions and later started advancing on Kirkuk.[16]

The campaign

Al-Qaim

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced an offensive to recapture the western border region of al-Qaim and Rawa on October 26.[17] He stated, "The heroic legions are advancing into the last den of terrorism in Iraq to liberate al-Qaim, Rawa and the surrounding villages and hamlets." Iraqi forces including the troops, police, Sunni tribesmen and mostly Shia militias, participated in the assault. Later, Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Yarallah announced that they had cleared Umm al-Waz village, 55 kilometres (34 mi) south-east of al-Qa'im, and the H-2 Air Base along with the nearby Husseiniyat area, 120 kilometres (75 mi) south of al-Qaim. According to the United Nations, around 50,000 people were still in al-Qaim and Rawa.[8] Meanwhile, Walid al-Dulaimi, an Iraqi army colonel, told Anadolu Agency that they had captured Rawa intersection and the Jabbab district, which is about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west of Rawa.[18]

Iraqi Army's War Media Cell announced on 27 October that the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) had secured 43 kilometres (27 mi) of the Akashat-al-Qaim road and an area of 301 square kilometres south of al-Qa'im. It also added that PMU captured al-Qakm cement plant, al-Qaom Quarries, al-Qaim station and the water station. Iraqi Army meanwhile captured villages of Awani, northern Jabab and al-Zalla on southern bank of Euphrates.[19] Army Major-General Qasim al-Muhammadi told Anadolu Agency on the same day that 25 militants were killed in a clash between Iraqi Army and ISIL near T1 area, 40 kilometres (25 mi) of al-Qa'im. He added that a large number of militants also retreated to center of al-Qaim district. Ahmed al-Dulaimi, an Anbar police captain, stated that five militants and two tribal fighters were killed in the same area a day earlier.[20]

The Joint Operations Command (JOC) stated on 28 October that pro-Iraqi forces had taken control of large areas to east of al-Qaim, after routing the militants from their hideouts. It also stated that the Iraqi troops had also captured many villages, a bridge on the Euphrates, the al-Qaim railway station, a military airbase, and the Akkas gas field. The JOC added that so far, 75 militants had been killed, while nine SVBIEDs, 10 militant vehicles, and four bomb-making sites had been destroyed, while 378 roadside bombs were defused or detonated.[21] The JOC also reported that 33 villages had been recaptured from ISIL, within 2 days of the offensive.[22] The Defence Ministry stated on 29 October that Iraqi planes had dropped thousands of leaflets in ISIL-held areas of Anbar, urging militants to surrender.[23] An Iraqi security source stated on the same day that ISIL fighters had fled towards Al-Bukamal in Syria, after many leaders fled and were killed in airstrikes. Meanwhile, Qatari al-Samarmad, a PMU commander, stated that Ra'ed al-Atouri, the ISIL military official of al-Qa'im, and six of his companions had been killed by Iraqi warplanes.[24]

By 31 October, Iraqi forces had reached the edge of al-Qaim. The JOC announced that Iraqi forces, backed by United States' airstrikes and Sunni tribal fighters, had captured the village of al-Obeidi, adding that even though ISIL resisted the advance of the troops, the majority retreated to center of al-Qaim. Yarallah stated that they had also captured a cement plant and a phosphate processing facility.[25] He added that they also took control of a nearby residential complex, nine villages around Obeidi as well as large areas of Akkas gas field.[26] Army Brigadier-General Numaan Abdul-Zobai said that they also captured villages of Rafedah and Al-Kasim to west of al-Qaim.[27] Minister of Oil Jabar al-Luaibi stated on 2 November that Iraq forces had captured the Akkas gas field.[28] Major-General Numaan Abd al-Zawbaei, commander of the army's 7th Division, said on the same day that regular troops backed by the PMU had captured Al-Saada area, and the nearby villages of Jereejib and Qunaitera, west of Al-Qaim, killing several militants and destroying a number of booby-trapped vehicles.[29]

On 3 November, the Iraqi Army captured the Abu Kamal-Al-Qa'im border crossing.[30] The JOC announced they had entered al-Qa'im as well.[31] The PMU captured the town's train station, as well as the al-Karabilah neighborhood during the day, while also entering the Gaza neighborhood.[32] Later on the same day, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that Iraqi Government forces had captured al-Qa'im.[33] Iraqi Government forces also recaptured the rest of the Al-Qa'im District.[1][2][3] This stripped ISIL of all its border crossings along the Iraqi–Syrian border,[2] and left only Rawa under ISIL rule.[33]

Interlude

Following the loss of the border city of Al-Qa'im and Deir ez-Zor, Al-Bukamal in Syria was the last town of note under their full control, where they were expected to make their final stand.[34] ISIL forces also began massing at Al-Bukamal, boosted by the retreating ISIL fighters from Iraq.[35] On 5 November, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) claimed that ISIL had driven out PMU out of Al-Bukamal's countryside.[36] However Kata'ib Hezbollah spokesman Jaafar al-Husseini stated that they clashed with ISIL just metres from border with Syria and fired rockets into Syria, adding that their forces didn't cross into Syria.[37]

Rawa

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi stated on 11 November that the Iraqi forces were launching an operation to push militants out of an area in western Iraq.[38] The offensive to recapture Rawa was launched during the day. Two Iraqi divisions and Sunni tribal fighters carried out the operation. Yarallah said that the troops had captured Rumana and its bridge, along with 10 other villages.[39] Iraqi Army Col. Waleed al-Dulaimi told Anadolu Agency that Iraqi forces captured six villages on 13 November. He added that militants had fled from the villages towards the desert northwest of the city of Rawa.[40] Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Yarallah stated on 15 November that they had killed 48 militants during the past three days while capturing 13 villages.[41]

Iraqi military stated on 17 November that security forces had penetrated into Rawa. Yarallah of the JOC stated that Iraqi troops and paramilitary forces had started the push at dawn and had captured four neighborhoods after some hours.[42] Iraqi forces captured Rawa later in the day. Yarallah stated that the government troops and paramilitary units "liberated the whole of Rawa and raised the Iraqi flag on all of its official buildings."[43] Prime Minister al-Abadi congratulated Iraqi armed forces and people, saying Rawa was retaken in record time. He stated: "Liberation of Rawa district in mere hours reflects the great strength and power of our heroic armed forces and the successful planning for battles." A military spokesman stated, "With the liberation of Rawa we can say all the areas in which Daesh is present have been liberated." He added that Iraqi forces will pursue the militants who fled into the desert and exert control over Iraq's borders.[5]

Al-Jazirah Desert

Prime Minister al-Abadi stated on 21 November that while ISIL was already defeated from a military perspective, he would declare the final victory only after they were defeated in the desert areas.[44] On 23 November, Iraqi forces announced the launch of an offensive to clear the desert bordering Syria. Army, police and paramilitary units advanced into areas of Saluhuddin, Ninveh and Anbar provinces forming part of the region called al-Jazira.[45]

Iraqi forces stated on 24 November that ISIL was withdrawing deep into the desert to escape the offensive. The PMF stated its forces had taken control of 77 villages since the launch of the offensive. It added that five militants were killed south of Hatra, but otherwise the militants put up little resistance. It also stated that it had taken control of an airfield in the same area, where they discovered underground warehouses used by the militants.[46] The Iraqi military later stated that the forces had captured 45 villages, clearing some 2,400 square kilometres on 24 November.[47]

The Iraqi military stated on 27 November that it was facing a tough battle against the militants, in deep gorges and other natural hideouts in the western desert. Gen. Yahya Rasoul, JOC spokesman, declared that the first phase was over and they had retaken half of the around 29,000 km2. desert area.[48] Iraqi forces announced a new phase on 8 December against the remaining militant holdouts in the western desert.[49]

Prime Minister al-Abadi declared final victory over ISIL on 9 December after Iraqi forces drove away the last remnants. Iraqi military stated that the forces had recaptured the last areas still under the group's control.[50] Yarallah stated that the troops had taken control of over 90 villages and cleared 19,600 km2 of land during the last operation over the past day.[51]

Aftermath

On 10 December, Iraqi forces held a military parade in Baghdad to celebrate their victory over ISIL. Prime Minister al-Abadi declared that 10 December would become a new annual holiday for Iraq.[52] Following their victory, Iraqi forces expect a new phase of insurgency from the remaining ISIL elements.[52]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "The Latest: Iraq Says Liberated Last IS-Held Town of Qaim". U.S. News & World Report L.P. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 "ISIL loses al-Qaim in Iraq and Deir Az Zor in Syria". Al Jazeera Media Network. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  3. 1 2 Sinan Salaheddin (5 November 2017). "Iraqi PM raises flag at border crossing taken from IS". Business Insider. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  4. ↑ "Qatar congratulates Iraq on liberation of Al Qaim district". Peninsula Qatar.
  5. 1 2 "Iraqi forces recapture last Islamic State-held town". Reuters.
  6. ↑ "Iraqi forces free Akashat from IS near border with Syria". Xinhua News Agency.
  7. ↑ "Iraqi forces launch battle against Islamic State footholds in vast Anbar province". The Washington Post.
  8. 1 2 "Iraqi forces launch assault on last IS bastion of al-Qaim". BBC.
  9. ↑ "Iraq forces launch 'last big fight' against IS". Rudaw. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  10. ↑ "Iraqi forces enter al-Qaim on Syrian border, one of last ISIS bases". Rudaw. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  11. ↑ "Al-Qaim: last IS bastion in Iraq". Agence-France Presse. France24. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  12. ↑ "Iraqi Troops Advance in Western Anbar, Amid the Referendum Row". Newsclick. 20 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  13. ↑ "Iraqi forces launch new offensive against IS in Iraq's Anbar". Xinhua News Agency.
  14. ↑ Kittleson, Shelly. "After Mosul, Iraq's western Anbar next up in IS fight". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  15. ↑ "Anbar op aims to restore Iraqi-Syrian border". Al-Monitor. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  16. ↑ "How the US paved the way for Iraq's crackdown on Kurdistan". Jerusalem Post. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  17. ↑ "Iraq announces offensive to retake last Daesh bastion". Daily Sabah.
  18. ↑ "Iraqi forces strike another blow against Daesh in Anbar". Anadolu Agency.
  19. ↑ "Army, Allies Liberated 301km2 In Rapid Advance Against ISIS in Western Iraq". SouthFront.
  20. ↑ "Tribal fighters, Daesh clash in Iraq's Anbar; 32 killed". Anadolu Agency.
  21. ↑ "Tribal fighters, Daesh clash in Iraq's Anbar; 32 killed". Xinhua News Agency.
  22. ↑ Nehal Mostafa (28 October 2017). "75 Islamic State militants killed in two days in western Anbar: Military". Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  23. ↑ al-Saadi, Amir. "Iraqi army urges Daesh to surrender". Anadolu Agency.
  24. ↑ "Daesh Members Flee Western Iraqi Border Region toward Syria". Tasnim News Agency.
  25. ↑ "Iraqi forces on edge of final Daesh bastion". Agence-France Presse. Gulf News.
  26. ↑ "Iraqi forces gain more ground in last IS stronghold in western Iraq". Xinhua News Agency.
  27. ↑ al-Qubaisi, Suleiman; al-Saadi, Ibrahim. "Iraqi forces close in on Daesh's last holdouts in Anbar". Anadolu Agency.
  28. ↑ Rasherd, Ahmed (2017-11-02). "Iraqi forces capture Akkas gas field from Islamic State: minister". Reuters. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  29. ↑ al-Qubaisi, Suleiman; Qassem, Ahmed (2017-11-02). "Iraqi forces register more gains against Daesh in Anbar". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  30. ↑ "Iraqi forces retake border crossing with Syria from Islamic State, Shi'ite militias say". Reuters. 2017-11-03. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  31. ↑ "Iraqi forces enter al-Qaim in final offensive on Islamic State-held territory". Reuters. 2017-11-03. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  32. ↑ "Iraqi Forces Storm Strategic Al-Qaim Town, Take Control Of Border Crossing With Syria (Map)". SouthFront. 2017-11-03. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  33. 1 2 "Islamic State on verge of defeat after fresh losses in Syria, Iraq". Reuters. 2017-11-03. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  34. ↑ Josie Ensor and Ben Farmer (3 November 2017). "Isil facing endgame after fall of last city in its caliphate". The Telegraph News. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  35. ↑ Loaa Adel (4 November 2017). "Al-Bukamal gathers largest number of IS members in Syria". Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  36. ↑ "IS gunmen drive "Hashd" irregulars to Iraq-Syrian border". Kuwait News Agency.
  37. ↑ "Iraq forces, ISIS fighters clash near Syrian border". Associated Press. Arkansas Online.
  38. ↑ "Iraqi forces launch anti-IS operation in western Anbar". Associated Press. ABC News.
  39. ↑ "Iraqi forces advance on ISIL-held Rawa in Anbar". Al-Jazeera.
  40. ↑ Suleiman al-Qubaisi. "Army retakes 6 villages in western Iraq from Daesh". Anadolu Agency.
  41. ↑ "Iraqi forces kill 48 IS militants in offensive near Syrian border". Xinhua News Agency.
  42. ↑ "Iraqi forces push into last IS urban stronghold in Rawa". Xinhua News Agency.
  43. ↑ "Iraqi forces captures last Isil-held town in Iraq". The Telegraph.
  44. ↑ "Iraq to declare final victory over Islamic State after desert campaign". Reuters.
  45. ↑ "IS conflict: Iraq begins final push to clear western desert". BBC.
  46. ↑ "Iraq forces say Daesh retreating deep into desert". Agence-France Presse. GeoTV.
  47. ↑ "Security forces regain control of 45 villages in anti-IS offensive in western Iraq". Xinhua News Agency.
  48. ↑ "Iraq face tough battle against Daesh desert hideouts". Agence-France Presse. The Daily Star.
  49. ↑ "Iraq pushes toward Daesh holdouts, PM eyes victory". Agence-France Presse. The Daily Star.
  50. ↑ "Iraq declares final victory over Islamic State". Reuters.
  51. ↑ "Iraq declares liberation of all Iraqi lands from IS". Xinhua News Agency.
  52. 1 2 Ahmed Aboulenein (10 December 2017). "Iraq holds victory parade after defeating Islamic State". Reuters. Retrieved 11 December 2017.

Coordinates: 33°25′00″N 43°18′00″E / 33.4167°N 43.3000°E / 33.4167; 43.3000

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