US intervention in the Syrian civil war

For the closely related operations in Iraq, see American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present).

US intervention in the Syrian civil war
Part of the 2014 military intervention against ISIL, the Syrian Civil War, the Spillover of the Syrian Civil War, and the Global War on Terrorism
Tomahawk missiles being fired from the warships USS Philippine Sea and USS Arleigh Burke at ISIL targets in Syria
Date September 22, 2014 – ongoing (10 years, 1 month, 3 weeks and 1 day) Location Syria Homs Governorate Aleppo Governorate Ar-Raqqah Governorate Idlib Governorate Deir ez-Zor Governorate Al-Hasakah Governorate Result Ongoing
Belligerents
Coalition forces-air United States Bahrain Jordan Morocco Qatar Saudi Arabia UAE United Kingdom (surveillance) Coalition forces-ground Iraqi Kurdistan Iraqi Peshmerga Local ground forces Syrian Kurdistan YPG Free Syrian Army Local guerrillas	Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant al-Qaeda al-Nusra Front Khorasan Ahrar ash-Sham (disputed)
Commanders and leaders
Barack Obama Lloyd Austin Salih Muslim Muhammad Abdul-Ilah al-Bashir Masoud Barzani	Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (Leader) Abu Mohammad al-Adnani (Spokesperson) Abu Omar al-Shishani (Military Chief) Abu Ali al-Anbari (Deputy, Syria) Abu Khattab al-Kurdi (Commander of the assault on Kobanî) Abu Mohammad al-Julani (Leader of the al-Nusra Front) Abu Muhammed al Ansari † (al-Nusra Emir of the Idlib province) Muhsin al-Fadhli (Leader of Khorasan) David Drugeon (WIA) Abu Jaber
Strength
Coalition forces: Coalition forces-air United States: USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group (From Sept. 22 to Oct. 16) USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group (From Oct. 16 to Present) USS Arleigh Burke USS Philippine Sea Tomahawk missiles Fighter aircraft F-22 Raptor F-16 Falcon F-15 Eagle FA-18 Super Hornet Bomber aircraft B-1 Lancer Ground-attack aircraft A-10 Thunderbolt Electronic warfare aircraft EA-18G Growler EA-6B Prowler Drones MQ-1 Predator MQ-9 Reaper Bahrain: 2 F-16s Jordan: 4 F-16s Morocco: 3 F-16s Saudi Arabia: 4 F-15s Qatar: 2 Mirage 2000s UAE: 4 F-16s United Kingdom: 1 RC-135 Coalition forces-ground Iraqi Kurdistan: 152 Peshmerga soldiers Unknown amount of artillery Local forces YPG: 1,000–2,000 fighters (in Kobanî only) Free Syrian Army: 300 fighters originally (in Kobanî only) 50–200 FSA fighters (reinforcements in Kobanî only)	Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant: Around 100,000 fighters (according to Iraqi Kurdistan Chief of Staff.) 3 MiG-21 or MiG-23 aircraft Over 30–50 tanks 2 Drones al-Qaeda: al-Nusra Front: 5,065–6,065 Khorasan: 50 Ahrar ash-Sham: 10,000–20,000
Casualties and losses
United States: 1 Marine dead (non-combat) Jordan: 1 serviceman captured 1 F-16 fighter plane Shot down (US Claims Technical Failure) Unknown: 1 UAV crashed	Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant: 1,046 killed 12 oil refineries bombed al-Qaeda: 72 killed Ahrar ash-Sham: 2 killed
52 civilians killed Over 300,000 civilians flee to Turkey
Number of militants killed possibly higher, due to them covering up their losses.

Forces from the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE launched airstrikes in Syria against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and affiliates of al-Qaeda, beginning in September 2014, as part of a multinational campaign against Islamist extremist militant groups.

The United States began surveillance missions on ISIL positions in Syria in September 2014. On September 10, U.S. President Barack Obama gave a speech indicating his intent to "degrade and ultimately destroy" ISIL, saying, "I have made it clear that we will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are. That means I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria, as well as Iraq."

On September 22, 2014, the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE began to strike targets inside Syria, which also included the Khorasan group, an offshoot of al-Nusra, in the Idlib Governorate to the west of Aleppo, as well as the al-Nusra Front around Ar-Raqqah. On November 2, in response to the intervention, representatives from Ahrar ash-Sham attended a meeting with the al-Nusra Front, the Khorasan Group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and Jund al-Aqsa, which sought to unite several hard-line groups against the US-led Coalition and other moderate Syrian Rebel groups. On November 6, a US airstrike struck Ahrar ash-Sham at its headquarters in Idlib. By 14 November 2014, it was revealed that the negotiations between al-Nusra, Jund al-Aqsa, ISIL, Ahrar ash-Sham had failed. In late November, Morocco joined the coalition in both Iraq and Syria as the first African member.

Background

Further information: Arab Spring, Arab Winter, and Syrian Civil War

Following the start of the Arab Spring in 2011, protests in Syria against the Assad administration were suppressed and became violent. In 2012, the al-Nusra Front was established by the Islamic State of Iraq as the official branch of al-Qaeda in Syria. The al-Nusra Front was eventually eclipsed by its own creator, and al-Qaeda severed its ties to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in February 2014, after an eight-month power struggle.

Map of the current territorial control in the Syrian Civil War. Red indicates territory controlled by Pro-Assad forces, Gray by ISIL, Green by the Syrian opposition, White by the al-Nusra Front, and Yellow by Syrian Kurdistan.

July 2014 rescue mission

Main article: 2014 American rescue mission in Syria

Following the abduction of a number of foreigners in Syria, on July 4, 2014, the U.S. carried out an operation to rescue foreign hostages being held by ISIL. U.S. airstrikes were conducted against an ISIL military base known as the "Osama bin Laden Camp" while at the same time, two dozen special operations members parachuted from helicopters near an ISIS building for high-valued prisoners. No prisoners were found in the building and the special operations members were quickly engaged by ISIL forces dispatched from Ar-Raqqah, which started a three-hour firefight ensued. Eventually, U.S. forces concluded that the hostages were no longer at the site and abandoned the rescue attempt. At least 5 ISIL fighters were killed and one U.S. soldier was wounded. Jordanian forces were also reportedly involved in the operation, with one Jordanian soldier reportedly wounded, but Jordanian involvement was not confirmed. Later on, it was reported that the hostages had been moved 24 hours before the attempted rescue. Following the mission, it was still unclear whether the operation failed due to bad intelligence or whether ISIL forces were alerted in advance of the mission.

Beheadings of Western hostages

In the aftermath of the rescue mission, and purportedly as a response to airstrikes in Iraq, ISIL beheaded three hostages over a one-month period: Americans James Foley on August 19, 2014, Steven Sotloff on September 2, and Briton David Haines on September 13.

Surveillance flights over Syria

On August 26, the U.S. began sending surveillance flights, including drones, over Syria to gather intelligence on ISIL targets in Syria. The flights began gathering intelligence that would aid future airstrikes; however, airstrikes were not yet authorized at that point, and no approval was sought from the Assad government for flights entering Syrian airspace.

Arming the Syrian opposition

Further information: Foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War § United States

At the direction of President Obama, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency the U.S. began arming Syrian rebels early in the civil war. At first it only supplied moderate rebels of the Free Syrian Army with non-lethal aid but quickly began providing training, cash and intelligence to selected rebel commanders.

On September 17, the House of Representatives voted to authorize the executive branch to train and arm Syrian rebels against ISIL forces. One of the groups that United States intended to train and arm was the Islamist Army of Mujahedeen while the Harakat Hazm group was already being supplied. There were indications that the Army of Mujahdeen was still being vetted for support.

Preparations for airstrikes

In his address to the nation on September 10, U.S. President Barack Obama announced his intention to bomb ISIL targets in Syria and called on Congress to authorize a program to train and arm rebels who were fighting ISIL and the Syrian forces of Bashar al-Assad. For the first time he authorized direct attacks against the militant group in Syria. In his address he stated that the United States were going on offensive launching "a steady, relentless effort to take out" the group "wherever they exist." Obama also announced creating of a broader coalition against ISIL.

Commenting on Obama's address, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich opposed the U.S. intervention against ISIL in Syria "without the consent of the legitimate government" and said that "this step, in the absence of a UN Security Council decision, would be an act of aggression, a gross violation of international law". Ali Haidar, Syrian minister of national reconciliation, said that "any action of any kind without the consent of the Syrian government would be an attack on Syria".

On September 17, the U. S. House of Representatives approved Obama's plan to train and arm the Syrian rebels in their fight against ISIL. In a statement following the House vote, Obama said that the United States wouldn't send military troops to Syria. The Senate gave final congressional approval to Obama's proposal the next day.

Before the airstrikes began, the United States informed Iran, the Assad government's largest regional ally, of their intention to launch airstrikes. They did not share specific timing or targets of strikes with the Iranian government but reportedly assured them that the US would not strike any Syrian government targets.

Air campaign

Multi-national airstrikes

Map of the first round of U.S. and coalition strikes in Syria

September 2014

On September 22, Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby confirmed that the United States and other partner nations had undertaken strikes in Syria using fighters, bombers, and Tomahawk missiles in strikes authorized by President Obama. Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were identified as countries conducting or supporting airstrikes the first night. The initial strikes were coordinated by United States Central Command and targeted about 20 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets, including headquarters buildings. Sources in Syria claimed that among the targets was also Brigade 93, a Syrian army base that the militants had recently captured and targets in the towns of Tabqa and Tel Abyad in Raqqa province.

A Tomahawk cruise missile launching from the USS Arleigh Burke to strike ISIL targets in Syria on September 23

The US also targeted the al Qaeda affiliated Al-Nusra Front and the Khorasan Group in the Aleppo and Idlib governorates of Syria.

F-22 Raptor stealth fighters were reported to be among the U.S. aircraft striking targets in Syria on the first night of the campaign, carrying out their first combat missions ever since entering service in 2005.

At least 70 ISIL fighters, 50 fighters affiliated with al-Qaeda, and and an unknown number of civilians were killed overnight by the airstrikes, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights while eight strikes were launched against the Khorasan group.

On September 24, the United States and coalition partners conducted a second round of airstrikes on ISIL facilities in Syria. The airstrikes were targeting oil production facilities controlled by ISIL who had been using the oil in order to fund their activities. Some targets were apparently also mobile production facilities which were most likely not refineries.

In a third round of airstrikes on ISIL targets on September 25, Arab partners lead the United States in strikes against militant-held oil facilities in northeastern Syria. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates dropped 80 percent of the bomb tonnage in the third round of strikes, compared to other strikes in which the United States lead Arab partners.

On September 26, the United States carried out a fourth round of airstrikes on ISIL targets in Eastern Syria. The strikes were targeting IS heavy equipment and destroyed four of their tanks in the Deir ez-Zor Province.

In a fifth round of airstrikes in Syria on September 27, the United States lead strikes along with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates against ISIL forces in the Kobanî Canton of Syrian Kurdistan. The strikes destroyed two armored vehicles and an unknown number of fighters in an area that had been put under siege by ISIL militants. The siege by Islamic State fighters had recently forced over 100,000 Syrian Kurds to flee across the border to Turkey.

On September 28 and 29, the United States carried out two rounds of strikes against IS positions across Syria in 4 provinces. Among the facilities targeted was the entrance to the largest gas plant in Syria, in the Deir ez-Zor Province, and ISIL training camp and vehicles near an ISIL controlled grain silo in Manbij, Aleppo province.

October 2014

In an eighth round of airstrikes in Syria on October 1, the United States and coalition partners struck ISIL targets in Northern Syria. The daytime strikes targeted ISIL forces laying siege to Kobanî, a primarily Kurdish city in Syrian Kurdistan, in support of the YPG and Free Syrian Army, who were defending the city.

FA-18 Hornet's takes off from USS George H.W. Bush to strike ISIL targets in Syria

On October 2, the United States lead a ninth round of strikes along with the United Arab Emirates against ISIL forces across Syria. The strikes destroyed an ISIL checkpoint near Kobanî, damaged a tank north of Sinjar Mountain, destroyed a tank west of Ar-Raqqah, and multiple IS facilities east of Aleppo.

In a tenth round of airstrikes in Syria on October 3, the United States, assisted by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates struck ISIL forces in Northern and Eastern Syria. The strikes destroyed an ISIL garrison south of Al-Hasakah, destroyed two tanks southeast of Deir ez-Zor, destroyed two modular oil refineries and a training camp south of Ar-Raqqah, and struck an ISIL building northeast of Aleppo.

On October 4, the United States lead an eleventh round of airstrikes, along with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, against ISIL forces across Syria. The US and partner nations carried out nine strikes, destroying an ISIL infantry unit, armored personnel carrier, and a vehicle south of Kobanî, destroying a tank and a vehicle southeast of Deir ez-Zor, damaging the Taqba airfield and destroying an artillery piece near Ar-Raqqah, as well as destroying an IS depot and logistics complex south of Al-Hasakah.

In a twelfth round of airstrikes in Syria on October 5, the United States carried out three airstrikes against ISIL forces in Central and Eastern Syria. The strikes destroyed an ISIL bulldozer, two ISIL tanks and another vehicle northwest of Al Mayadin, and destroyed six firing positions and a large ISIL unit northwest of Ar-Raqqah.

On October 6, the United States carried out a thirteenth round of airstrikes in Syria against ISIL forces across Syria. The strikes destroyed an ISIL tank near Taqba airfield west of Ar-Raqqah, destroyed two fighting positions south of Kobanî, and destroyed a tank southeast of Deir ez-Zor.

In a fourteenth round of airstrikes in Syria on October 7, the United States, assisted by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against ISIL forces across Syria. The United States and partner nations carried out nine strikes damaging multiple ISIL controlled buildings west of Al-Hasakah, damaging a staging area and IED production facility northeast of Deir ez-Zor, destroying 3 armed vehicles, damaging one armed vehicle, destroying a vehicle carrying anti-aircraft artillery, destroying an ISIL tank, and an ISIL unit in and around Kobanî, as well as killing a small group of fighters southwest of Rabiyah.

On October 8, the United States lead a fifteenth round of airstrikes along with the United Arab Emirates against ISIL forces across Syria. The US and the United Arab Emirates carried out nine strikes destroying an armored personnel carrier, four armed vehicles, an artillery piece, and damaged another armed vehicle in and around Kobanî, striking an ISIL training camp and fighters northwest of Ar-Raqqah, and destroying a tank northwest of Deir ez-Zor.

In a sixteenth round of airstrikes in Syria on October 9, the United States carried out nine airstrikes in the areas in and around the border town of Kobanî that is under siege. The US carried out six airstrikes south of Kobanî that destroyed two ISIL-held buildings, one tank and one heavy machine gun along, a fighting position along with one large and two small ISIL units. Along with strikes south of Kobanî, the US carried out three airstrikes north of Kobanî which struck two small ISIL units and destroyed two ISIL-held buildings.

Before and after picture of and ISIL command control center after an F-22 airstrike on September 23

On October 10, the United States led a seventeenth round of airstrikes along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against ISIL forces across Syria. The US and coalition partners carried out nine strikes, destroying two ISIL training facilities, three vehicles, damaging a tank and striking two ISIL units in and around Kobanî. The strikes also destroyed an armored vehicle staging facility east of Deir ez-Zor and struck a small ISIL unit northeast of Al Hasakah.

In an eighteenth round of airstrikes in Syria on October 11, the United States carried out six airstrikes in and around the border town of Kobanî that is under siege by ISIL forces. The US carried out four strikes north of Kobanî striking a fighting position, damaging a command and control facility, destroying a staging building, and striking two small ISIL units. South of Kobanî, two airstrikes destroyed three trucks.

On October 12, the United States led a nineteenth round of airstrikes along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against ISIL forces across Syria. The US and partner nations carried out four strikes, three in Kobanî, destroying a fighting position and a staging area, and one strike northwest of Ar-Raqqah, destroying an armored vehicle compound.

Also, on October 12, the United States announced that the Turkish government had approved the use of Turkish military bases by coalition forces fighting ISIL in Syria and Iraq. These installations will include key bases only 100 miles from the Syrian border and important US military bases in Turkey such as the Incirlik Air Base. Despite the announcement of Turkish government approval, on October 13, Turkish officials denied that any agreement had been made over coalition use of Turkish Airbases including Incirlik.

In a twentieth round of airstrikes in Syria on October 13, the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out eight airstrikes against ISIL forces in Syria. The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out seven strikes in and around Kobanî, striking a large ISIL unit, two small units; damaging one staging location and destroying another, destroying a heavy-machine-gun firing position, destroying three buildings, and damaging two others. One other strike northwest of Ar-Raqqah struck an ISIL garrison.

On October 14, the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out the twenty-first round and the largest set of strikes against ISIL in Syria since the beginning of the intervention, with twenty-one strikes against targets in and around Kobanî, and an additional strike near Deir ez-Zor. According to the Department of Defense, the strikes were designed to interdict ISIL reinforcements and resupply zones and prevent ISIL from massing combat power on the Kurdish held portions of Kobanî. The strikes destroyed two staging locations and damaged another, destroyed one ISIL building and damaged two others, damaged three ISIL compounds, destroyed one truck, one armed vehicle, and one other vehicle near Kobanî in support of Kurdish forces resisting the siege of the town. In addition to those targets, the airstrikes struck seven staging areas, two mortar positions, three ISIL occupied buildings, and an artillery storage facility. An additional strike near Deir ez-Zor struck a modular oil refinery.

A F/A-18 Super Hornet taking off from USS Carl Vinson before carrying out strikes on ISIL targets in Syria

In a twenty-second round of airstrikes on October 15, the United States carried out eighteen strikes against ISIL targets in and around Kobanî. The strikes destroyed multiple fighting positions and also successfully struck sixteen ISIL-occupied buildings.

On October 16, the United States carried out a twenty-third round of airstrikes with fourteen airstrikes against ISIL targets in and around Kobanî striking nineteen ISIL controlled-buildings, two command posts, three fighting positions, three sniper positions, one staging location, and one heavy machine gun position.

In a twenty-fourth round of airstrikes on October 17, the United States carried out seven airstrikes against ISIL targets in and around Kobanî and in north-eastern Syria. Six airstrikes took place near Kobanî, striking three ISIL controlled buildings; destroyed two fighting positions, suppressed three fighting positions, and destroyed two vehicles. One other airstrike near Al-Shaddadeh struck ISIL controlled oil collection equipment, including several petroleum, oil, and lubricants tanks, and a pump station.

On October 20, the United States carried out a twenty-fifth round of airstrikes, with six airstrikes against ISIL targets in and around Kobanî. The strikes destroyed ISIL fighting positions, ISIL mortar positions, a vehicle, and one stray equipment supply bundle from a U.S. airdrop of Kurdish supplies in order to prevent the supplies from being captured.

In a twenty-sixth round of airstrikes on October 21, the United States carried out four airstrikes against ISIL targets in and around Kobanî. The strikes destroyed several ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL controlled building, and a large ISIL unit.

On October 22, the United States carried out a twenty-seventh round of airstrikes with six airstrikes against ISIL targets in and around Kobanî. The strikes destroyed several ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL controlled building and an ISIL logistical center.

In a twenty-eighth round of airstrikes on October 23, the United States carried out six airstrikes in and around Kobanî and near Deir ez-Zor. Four strikes destroyed several ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL command and control center near Kobanî. Two strikes east of Deir ez-Zor destroyed several ISIL oil holding tanks.

On October 24, the United States carried out a twenty-ninth round of airstrikes with six airstrikes against ISIL targets in and around Kobanî. The strikes destroyed an ISIL vehicle and struck three ISIL units.

In a thirtieth round of airstrikes on October 25, the United States carried out one strike near Kobanî, destroying an ISIL artillery piece.

On October 26, the United States carried out a thirty-first round of airstrikes with five airstrikes against ISIL targets near Kobanî, destroying seven ISIL vehicles and an ISIL-controlled building.

An F-22 Raptor being refueled prior to an airstrike on ISIL targets in Syria

In a thirty-second round of airstrikes on October 27, the United States carried out four strikes near Kobanî, destroying five ISIL vehicles and an ISIL occupied building.

On October 28, the United States carried out a thirty-third round of airstrikes, with four airstrikes against ISIL targets near Kobanî, destroying four ISIL fighting positions and a small ISIL unit.

In a thirty-fourth round of airstrikes on October 29, the United States carried out eight airstrikes in and around Kobanî. The strikes destroyed five ISIL fighting positions, a small ISIL unit, six ISIL vehicles, an ISIL controlled building, and an ISIL command and control node.

On October 30, the United States carried out a thirty-fifth round of airstrikes, with twelve airstrikes against ISIL targets in and around Kobanî, as well as targets near Deir ez-Zor and Ar-Raqqah. 10 strikes near Kobanî struck two small ISIL units, destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, and five ISIL controlled buildings. One strike near Deir ez-Zor damaged an ISIL headquarters building while another strike near Ar-Raqqah damaged an ISIL security building.

In a thirty-sixth round of airstrikes on October 31, the United States carried out four airstrikes in and around Kobanî, damaging four ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL controlled building.

November 2014

On November 1, the United States carried out a thirty-seventh round of airstrikes with five airstrikes against ISIL targets in and around Kobanî. The strikes suppressed or destroyed nine ISIL fighting positions, and struck one ISIL-controlled building.

In a thirty-eighth round of airstrikes on November 2, the United States carried out seven airstrikes in and around Kobanî and near Deir ez-Zor. Five airstrikes in and around Kobanî struck five small ISIL units and destroyed three ISIL vehicles. Two airstrikes southeast of Deir ez-Zor destroyed an ISIL tank and two vehicle shelters.

On November 3, the United States and coalition partners carried out a thirty-ninth round of airstrikes in and around Kobanî and near Deir ez-Zor. Four airstrikes in and around Kobanî struck an ISIL fighting position, a small ISIL unit, and destroyed two ISIL controlled buildings. One airstrike near Deir ez-Zor damaged an ISIL controlled building.

In a fortieth round of airstrikes on November 4 and 5, the United States carried out six airstrikes in and around Kobanî and north of Sinjar just across the Iraqi-Syrian border into Syria. Three airstrikes in and around Kobanî struck a small ISIL unit, two ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL dump truck that was used in the construction of fighting positions. One airstrike north of Sinjar destroyed an ISIL fighting position used to launch mortar attacks, and struck a small ISIL unit manning the position. Two additional strikes north of Sinjar struck a small ISIL unit and destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle.

The USS Carl Vinson and support ships deployed for combat operations in Syria and Iraq.

On November 6 and 7, the United States carried out a forty-first round of airstrikes in and around Kobanî and near Tal Abyad. Seven strikes in and around Kobanî struck three small ISIL units, seven ISIL fighting positions, and destroyed an ISIL artillery piece. One airstrike near Tal Abyad destroyed an ISIL weapons stockpile.

In a forty-second round of airstrikes between November 8 and November 10, the United States carried out twenty-three airstrikes in and around Kobanî and near Deir ez-Zor. Thirteen airstrikes conducted in and around Kobanî struck an ISIL vehicle and five small ISIL units, destroyed an ISIL-occupied building used as an ammunition stockpile, an ISIL command and control building, and seven ISIL fighting positions, as well as damaging two ISIL fighting positions. In addition, eight airstrikes southeast of Deir ez-Zor damaged several structures of an ISIL oil collection facility, which was used to trans-load oil for the black market, while two airstrikes east of Deir ez-Zor damaged an ISIL oil collection point.

Between November 11 and 12, the United States carried out a forty-third round of airstrikes with sixteen airstrikes in and around Kobanî, near Deir ez-Zor, and near Al-Hasakah. Ten airstrikes conducted in and around Kobanî struck eight small ISIL units, damaged three ISIL fighting positions, and destroyed an ISIL logistics facility. Additionally, four airstrikes near Deir ez-Zor damaged an ISIL crude oil collection facility, struck a small ISIL unit, and damaged an ISIL vehicle. Two airstrikes near Al-Hasakah damaged a crude oil collection point.

In a forty-fourth round of airstrikes between November 13 and 14, the United States carried out twenty airstrikes in and around Kobanî, east of Deir ez-Zor, west of Aleppo, and east of Ar-Raqqah. Seventeen airstrikes conducted in and around Kobanî struck 10 ISIL units, destroyed 10 fighting positions, an ISIL controlled building, two ISIL vehicles, and an ISIL motorcycle. One airstrike east of Ar-Raqqah destroyed an ISIL training camp and another airstrike east of Deir ez-Zor destroyed an ISIL oil collection point. One other airstrike west of Aleppo struck militants associated with the Khorasan group.

Between November 15 and 17, the United States carried out a forty-fifth round of airstrikes with eleven airstrikes in and around Kobanî and near Deir ez-Zor. Nine airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, suppressed an ISIL fighting position, destroyed four ISIL staging areas, and struck one tactical ISIL unit. Two airstrikes near Deir ez-Zor struck an ISIL crude oil collection facility and destroyed one ISIL tank.

In a forty-sixth round of airstrikes between November 18 and 19, the United States carried out seven airstrikes in and around Kobanî, southeast of Al-Hasakah, and near Hazm. Five airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL staging area and three ISIL controlled buildings, suppressed two ISIL fighting positions, struck two tactical ISIL units, and a large ISIL unit. One airstrike southeast of Al-Hasakah damaged a crude oil collection point operated by ISIL while another airstrike near Hazm struck and destroyed a storage facility associated with the Khorasan Group.

Between November 20 and 21, the United States and coalition partners carried out a forty-seventh round of airstrikes with seven airstrikes in and around Kobanî and near Ar-Raqqah. Six airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed four ISIL staging areas, two ISIL controlled buildings, two ISIL tactical units, and suppressed an ISIL fighting position. One airstrike near Ar-Raqqah damaged an ISIL barracks building.

In a forty-eighth round of airstrikes between November 22 and 24, the United States and coalition partners carried out nine airstrikes in and around Kobanî and near Ar-Raqqah. Seven airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed three ISIL fighting positions along with two ISIL staging areas, damaged an ISIL staging area, and suppressed four ISIL fighting positions. Two strikes near Ar-Raqqah struck an ISIL headquarters building.

Between November 25 and 26, the United States carried out a forty-ninth round of airstrikes with ten airstrikes in and around Kobanî striking an ISIL fighting position, a large ISIL unit, two tactical ISIL units, and destroying four ISIL staging areas as well as six ISIL fighting positions.

In a fiftieth round of airstrikes between November 27 and 28, the United States carried out two airstrikes near Kobanî and Aleppo. One airstrike near Kobanî struck an ISIL fighting position as well as an ISIL staging area while one airstrike near Aleppo struck a tactical ISIL unit.

A coalition airstrike on ISIL positions in Kobanî.

Between November 29 and December 1, the United States carried out a fifty-first round of airstrikes with twenty-seven airstrikes in and around Kobanî, near Ar-Raqqah, and near Aleppo. Seventeen airstrikes near Kobanî destroyed two ISIL-occupied buildings, three ISIL tanks, three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL armored personnel carrier, three ISIL vehicles and two ISIL staging areas, as well as striking seven tactical ISIL units, targeting six ISIL fighting positions and damaging an ISIL controlled building. Nine airstrikes near Ar-Raqqah struck an ISIL electronic warfare garrison, an ISIL military garrison, an ISIL headquarters building, an ISIL jamming system, an ISIL tank and fourteen ISIL vehicles while one airstrike near Aleppo struck a target associated with the Khorasan Group.

December 2014

In a fifty-second round of airstrikes between December 1 and 3, the United States carried out fourteen airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroying an ISIL vehicle, seventeen ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL staging area as well as suppressing eight other fighting positions and striking a large ISIL unit.

Between December 4 and 8, the United States and coalition partners carried out a fifty-third round of airstrikes with fifteen airstrikes in and around Kobanî and near Ar-Raqqah. Fourteen airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL-occupied buildings, two ISIL staging areas, two ISIL tanks, an ISIL motorcycle, a mortar, and struck eight tactical ISIL units along with two ISIL fighting positions. One airstrike near Ar-Raqqah struck an ISIL electronic warfare garrison.

In a fifty-fourth round of airstrikes between December 9 and 10, the United States carried out seven airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroying five ISIL fighting positions, striking three ISIL fighting positions, and striking a large ISIL unit.

Between December 11 and 12, the United States and coalition partners carried out a fifty-fifth round of airstrikes with seven airstrikes in and around Kobanî, near Aleppo, and near Al-Qa'im. Five airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed five ISIL fighting positions and struck one ISIL fighting position. One airstrike near Aleppo struck five ISIL-occupied buildings while another airstrike near Al-Qa'im on the Syrian border destroyed two ISIL fortifications.

In a fifty-sixth round of airstrikes between December 13 and 15, the United States and coalition partners carried out nine airstrikes in and around Kobanî and near Al-Bukamal. Eight airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed nine ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL controlled buildings, and two ISIL staging positions as well as striking one ISIL fighting position. One airstrike near Al-Bukamal destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

Between December 16 and 17, the United States and coalition partners carried out a fifty-seventh round of airstrikes with six airstrikes in and around Kobanî and near Al-Bukamal. Five airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed an ISIL controlled building, one ISIL staging area, one ISIL bunker, and an ISIL mortar as well as striking two ISIL tactical units, two additional buildings, and two ISIL fighting positions. One airstrike near Al-Bukamal destroyed an ISIL tactical vehicle.

In a fifty-eighth round of airstrikes on December 18, the United States and coalition partners carried out six airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroying seven ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL building as well as striking an ISIL tactical unit.

An F-16 Falcon being refueled prior to an airstrike on ISIL targets in Syria

On December 19, the United States and coalition partners carried out a fifty-ninth round of airstrikes with four strikes in and around Kobanî and near Ar-Raqqah. Three airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed two ISIL controlled buildings and an ISIL staging area as well as striking two ISIL tactical units. One airstrike near Ar-Raqqah damaged an ISIL training compound.

In a sixtieth round of airstrikes on December 20, the United States and coalition partners carried out five airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroying eight ISIL fighting positions.

On December 21, the United States and coalition partners carried out a sixty-first round of airstrikes with three strikes in and around Kobanî destroying an ISIL staging position and two ISIL fighting positions as well as striking two ISIL fighting positions.

In a sixty-second round of airstrikes on December 22, the United States and coalition partners carried out twelve airstrikes in and around Kobanî, near Aleppo, near Al-Hasakah, and near Ar-Raqqah. Six airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed six ISIL fighting positions as well as striking four ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL tactical unit. Three airstrikes near Aleppo destroyed artillery equipment and struck 10 ISIL buildings, two airstrikes near Al-Hasakah destroyed an ISIL tactical vehicle, two ISIL trucks, an ISIL building, and two ISIL storage containers, and one airstrike near Ar-Raqqah destroyed an ISIL checkpoint complex.

On December 23, the United States and coalition partners carried out a sixty-third round of airstrikes with seven airstrikes in and around Kobanî and near Bargooth. Six airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL building and struck several ISIL fighting positions with one airstrike near Barghooth striking ISIL oil collection equipment.

In a sixty-fourth round of airstrikes on December 24, the United States and coalition partners carried out ten airstrikes in and around Kobanî, near Deir ez-Zor, and near Ar-Raqqah. Eight airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed five ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL building, an ISIL staging position, as well as striking three ISIL tactical units, an ISIL tactical vehicle and an ISIL fighting position. One airstrike near Deir ez-Zor struck a crude oil collection point and another airstrike near Ar-Raqqah struck an ISIL weapons stockpile.

On December 25, the United States and coalition partners carried out a sixty-fifth round of airstrikes with fifteen airstrikes in and around Kobanî, near Al-Hasakah, and near Ar-Raqqah. Thirteen airstrikes in and around Kobanî destroyed three ISIL buildings, one ISIL vehicle, 17 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL staging positions as well as striking two ISIL fighting positions, three large ISIL units and four ISIL tactical units. One airstrike near Al-Hasakah struck an ISIL drilling tower and destroyed 2 ISIL support vehicles and another airstrike near Ar-Raqqah struck an ISIL assembly area.

In a sixty-sixth round of airstrikes on December 26, the United States and coalition partners carried out four airstrikes in and around Kobanî, destroying three ISIL buildings and two ISIL vehicles.

Airstrikes on the Khorasan Group

A U.S. Air Force fighter jet drops ordnance on an ISIL compound in Ar-Raqqah, Syria on September 23, 2014.

One of the groups targeted by U.S. airstrikes was the Khorasan Group, an extremist group of suspected al-Qaeda "core" members who were alleged to have been plotting an attack against the U.S. and other Western nations. The strikes targeted Khorasan training camps, explosives and munitions production facilities, communications facilities, as well as command and control facilities. The group has been claimed to possess advanced bomb making skills and their plot is claimed to involve a bomb made of a nonmetallic device such as a toothpaste container or clothes dipped in explosive material. The group is reportedly led by Muhsin al-Fadhli, a leader of al-Qaeda and a close confidante of Osama bin Laden. Intelligence officials expressed concern that the group may include militants who were taught by Ibrahim al-Asiri, the chief bomb maker for al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, who is known for his sophisticated bomb making techniques that nearly downed two Western airliners.

Later statements by government officials indicated that the threat of a plot may have been less severe than initially reported. One official indicated that "there did not yet seem to be a concrete plan in the works", while another told The Guardian that "there was no indication of an imminent domestic threat from the group" at the time the United States began bombing.

On November 6, a second round of airstrikes was launched against Khorasan and al-Nusra in northwestern Syria, along with Ahrar ash-Sham at its headquarters in Idlib, whose leadership had been infiltrated by al-Qaeda. On November 13, 2014, the US launched a third set of airstrikes against Khorasan. On November 19, the US carried out another airstrike on Khorasan near Hazm, which struck and destroyed a storage facility associated with the group. On December 1, the US carried out another airstrike on Khorasan near Aleppo.

Syrian government involvement

In a statement on September 23, State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki stated that the U.S. did not request permission from the Syrian government, nor did they coordinate their actions with the Syrian government, provide direct notification to the Syrian military, or give indication of timing on specific targets, but that they did notify the Syrian U.N. representative, which the Syrian government confirmed. Syrian military radar was “passive” during the air strikes, with no attempt to counter US aircraft. During the first night of airstrikes the United States' force deployed with HARM missiles as a precaution, as they were uncertain as to how Syria's air-defense network would react.

Civilian casualties

On September 29, 2014, multiple groups including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Aleppo Media Center, and the Local Coordination Committees reported that U.S. strikes hit a grain silo in the ISIL-controlled town of Manbij in northern Syria, killing two civilians. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 10 airstrikes, also targeting various parts of the province of Idlib, killed at least one child and six other civilians. The group stated that at least 19 civilians had been killed in coalition airstrikes at that time. The Pentagon reported that they had no evidence of any civilian casualties from airstrikes targeting militants in Syria. The United States has also acknowledged that its rules to avoid civilian casualties are looser in Syria than those for drone strikes elsewhere. The SOHR and other activist groups, reported that seven civilians were killed when an air strike hit a gas distribution facility near the town of al-Khasham is the eastern Deir al-Zor province on October 17, 2014 and three civilians were killed in an air strike on October 16, 2014 in the north east province of al-Hassakah. According to their reports, most of the civilians killed were fuel tanker drivers. According to Reuters, 50 civilians were killed in Syria by US-led airstrikes, since the start of the campaign in late September 2014 against militant extremist forces.

Air supply

On October 20, 2014 the United States began airdropping supplies to Syrian Kurdish forces, including the YPG, in Kobanî. The Kurdish forces there have been engaged in battle with ISIL as they laid siege to the city. Prior to October 20, the United States and its coalition partners fighting against ISIL in Syria, had not provided any supplies to Kurdish forces in their fight against ISIL. Much of the reason for US having to airdrop supplies was due to the Turkish government's refusal to allow supplies to pass through their border into Kobanî. The U.S. specifically airdropped weapons, ammunition, and medical supplies supplied by Iraqi Kurdistan specifically to supply the Kurdish forces in Syria. On October 21, a video was released by ISIL showing what it claimed was a bundle of airdropped small arms, ammunition, and other supplies from the United States. The Pentagon stated that they were analyzing the video and could not at the time confirm whether the video was authentic but that the materials were similar and video would be analyzed by the Department of Defense to analyze its authenticity. On October 22, the Pentagon confirmed that one of the airdrops had been intercepted by ISIL but that it most likely would not give ISIL any real advantage in their operations.

Ground forces

Free Syrian Army soldiers cleaning their rifles in Aleppo

During the beginning of the coalition interventions, leaders including President Obama have stated that coalition ground forces would not be used in the fight against ISIL either in Iraq or Syria unless they were local coalition forces. While in Iraq thousands of coalition troops from the United States and other nations have been deployed in an advisory capacity, in Syria no ground troops from the coalition intervening in Syria were deployed in the beginning of the intervention.

While there were no coalition ground forces in Syria originally, the US government has said that it wants to spend $500 million to fund the training and arming of up to 5,000 moderate rebels to function as ground forces against ISIL. Under the original plan, the rebels would be trained in Saudi Arabia and other unnamed countries and then return to fight in Syria. The 'moderate' opposition groups that are expected to be armed and trained by the US government include the Free Syrian Army, which is a network of hundreds of smaller rebel groups along with the Syria Revolutionaries Front. In mid-September 2014, the US Congress approved the plan to arm and fund rebels in Syria. In October 2014, the Turkish government agreed to help train and equip some moderate Syrian rebels in Turkey. The Turkish government agreed to allow the training of at least 2,000 moderate rebels in Turkey by U.S. and Turkish special forces with the rebels being trained in groups of 400. According to Turkish officials, the rebels would be chosen by the country’s MIT intelligence service using its databases in order to select and screen an initial 2,000 rebels to undergo training.

As the Siege of Kobanî continued there were growing calls to also arm the YPG, also known as the People's Protection Units, a Kurdish fighting force in Syria heavily involved in the defense of Kobanî. On October 20, 2014, the Turkish foreign minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu announced that the Turkish government would be allowing peshmerga from the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government to cross their border into Kobanî to support Kurdish fighters. The change in policy came after the Turkish government had refused to allow Kurdish fighters and supplies to pass through the border to YPG units in Kobanî, as they viewed the YPG as an offshoot of the PKK. On October 28, Peshmerga from the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government departed Erbil to travel to Turkey and eventually to Kobanî. A total of 152 soldiers were deployed starting with forty vehicles carrying weapons, artillery, and machine guns, along with 80 Peshmerga forces, who crossed the border into Turkey by land with the heavy weapons and then drove to the border near Kobanî. The other 72 soldiers in the contingent flew to Turkey and rejoined the rest of the contingent on October 29. On October 29, 152 Kurdish Peshmerga from Iraq and 50 Free Syrian Army fighters crossed the border into Kobanî with heavy weapons, small arms, and ammunition.

Naming of Operation Inherent Resolve

Main article: Operation Inherent Resolve

Unlike previous U.S. combat operations, no name had been given to the American intervention in Syria and Iraq until it was announced in mid-October that the operational name would be Inherent Resolve. The decision to keep the conflict nameless drew considerable media criticism.

Turkish involvement

Turkish M60 Patton tanks positioned on the Syrian border near Kobanî.

Main article: Turkish involvement in the 2014 military intervention against ISIL

Turkey, a NATO member, has been involved in the Syrian Civil War since the beginning of hostilities. Turkey has trained and armed some members of the Free Syrian Army, and has been involved in certain spillover incidents, however so far Turkey has not been involved in direct combat. On October 2, 2014, the Turkish Parliament authorized direct military action in both Iraq and Syria including using military force in Syria and Iraq as well as allowing coalition members to use bases in Turkey. Turkey has also stationed troops and tanks on its southern border near the Syrian border city of Kobanî. The Turkish government demanded several things to go along with them intervening against ISIL, including a buffer zone in Northern Syria, a no-fly zone over certain parts of northern Syria, ground troops from other countries, and the training of moderate opposition forces to fight both ISIL and al-Assad.

Turkey also holds sovereignty over the Tomb of Suleyman Shah 35 km inside Syria, where it maintains a small garrison of Special forces that are surrounded by ISIL-controlled territory.

Reactions

Foreign reactions

• Australia – Tony Abbott, the Prime Minister of Australia, praised the intervention, saying that an international effort was needed in order to combat the ISIL threat. Despite Abbott's support for the intervention, the Australian Government has stated that it is not likely to contribute forces to operations in Syria.
• Canada – Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada, stated that Canada would strike ISIL targets in Syria if the Assad government gave approval.
• Ecuador – The Ecuadorian government stated their opposition to airstrikes in Syria without the consent of the Syrian government.
• Egypt - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expressed his government’s support for the international campaign against ISIL, and a spokesperson for the Egyptian foreign ministry echoed his statements by reiterating the Egyptian government's willingness to back the war against ISIL.
• Germany - German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier questioned whether President Obama's plan was adequate in order to combat ISIL and stated that Germany had not been asked to participate in airstrikes nor would they participate if asked.
• Iran - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani condemned ISIL's actions but also called the airstrikes in Syria "illegal" because they were conducted without the consent of the Syrian government. Iran’s deputy foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian was reported in Iranian media as saying that Iran had warned the United States that Israel would be at risk should the US and its allies seek to topple Syrian president Bashar al-Assad while fighting ISIL in Syria.
• Israel - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel fully supported the U.S. government's calls for united action against ISIL.
• Japan - A spokesperson for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Japanese government would continue to closely coordinate with the United States and other countries, along with offering support and cooperation in their strikes against ISIL.
• Netherlands – Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, showed understanding for the intervention against ISIL in Syria and said that his government was exploring options to contribute in the fight against ISIL.
• Russia – Alexander Lukashevich, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, opposed the military intervention "without the consent of the legitimate government" and said that "this step, in the absence of a UN Security Council decision, would be an act of aggression, a gross violation of international law".
• Turkey – The Davutoglu Government called on the Grand National Assembly of Turkey to approve measures that would grant extensive authority to the President to launch military operations in both Syria and Iraq, including the authority to send troops across the border, although it is unclear whether the Turkish leadership intends to act on that authority. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has urged the establishment of a no-fly zone by coalition forces in northern Syria.
• United Kingdom – A spokesperson for British Prime Minister David Cameron stated that the UK would not rule out airstrikes in Syria against ISIL. On September 26, 2014 Parliament voted 524 to 43 to approve action inside Iraq. While visiting Iraqi Kurdistan in mid October, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond stated that he saw no immediate demand from U.S. and Arab militaries for Britain to extend its airstrikes to Syria. British Defense Minister Michael Fallon said on October 21 that British Reaper drones and Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft would be starting intelligence-gathering missions in Syria "very shortly."
• United Nations – Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary-general, welcomed the airstrikes against militants in Syria, but noted that the involved parties "must abide by international humanitarian law and take all precautions to avoid and minimize civilian casualties".
• Venezuela – At the 69th General Assembly of the United Nations, President Nicolas Maduro stated that "It's President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian government which have stopped the terrorists" and continued by saying "Instead of bombing and bombing, we must make an alliance for peace".

Syrian reactions

• Syria – A week before the first airstrikes, Ali Haidar, the Syrian Minister of National Reconciliation, said that "any action of any kind without the consent of the Syrian government would be an attack on Syria". However despite Haidar's original statement, after the coalition campaign began, the Syrian government struck a more conciliatory tone with Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem suggesting the airstrikes were an indication that Syria and the anti-ISIL coalition were on the same side.
• Syrian opposition – Hadi Bahra, the leader of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces called for airstrikes against ISIL before the intervention began. The coalition is recognized by 20 countries, the European Union, and the Arab league as the legitimate representative of Syria in opposition to the Assad government. Bahra said strikes were needed to weaken ISIL, a faction in the inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian Civil War, so that the Free Syrian Army and other moderate opposition forces could oppose Assad more effectively. Despite Bahra's support, many Syrian rebel groups have criticized U.S. airstrikes for targeting only ISIL who are enemies of the Assad government, while not also targeting Assad government forces, the results of which could help government forces gain more ground. Meanwhile, jihadist groups within the opposition have portrayed the coalition as an anti-Sunni stooge of the Syrian regime, while many Sunnis in Syria are angered that only extremist Sunnis are being targeted while mostly Shiite Assad forces aren't targeted. Some rebels defected to extremist groups as a result of the U.S. decision to strike jihadist groups other than ISIL, such as the al-Nusra Front.

See also

• 2014 military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
• 2014 American-led intervention in Iraq
• Siege of Kobanî
• Military of ISIL
• Foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War
• Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian Civil War
• Iraqi insurgency (2011–present)
• Overseas interventions of the United States
• Syria–United States relations
• Timeline of the Syrian Civil War (August 2014–present)

External links

• Media related to Operation Inherent Resolve at Wikimedia Commons