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At the direction of [[President Obama]], the American [[Central Intelligence Agency]] played an active role since the early stages of the [[Syrian Civil War]]. The U.S. originally supplied the moderate rebels of the [[Free Syrian Army]] with non-lethal aid but soon escalated to providing training, cash and intelligence to selected rebel commanders.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Tom|author2=Fordham, Alice|title=CIA Is Quietly Ramping Up Aid To Syrian Rebels, Sources Say|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/04/23/306233248/cia-is-quietly-ramping-up-aid-to-syrian-rebels-sources-say|accessdate=20 September 2014|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=23 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Spencer|first1=Richard|title=US-backed head of Free Syria Army voted out|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10644538/US-backed-head-of-Free-Syria-Army-voted-out.html|accessdate=20 September 2014|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=17 Feb 2014}}</ref><ref name=frontline-2014-05-26>{{cite news|last1=Youssef|first1=Nancy A.|title=Syrian Rebels Describe U.S.-Backed Training in Qatar|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/foreign-affairs-defense/syria-arming-the-rebels/syrian-rebels-describe-u-s-backed-training-in-qatar/|accessdate=20 September 2014|publisher=[[PBS]] - Frontline|date=26 May 2014|archive-date= 20 September 2014|archive-url=http://www.webcitation.org/6SidZu5ZR}}</ref>
At the direction of [[President Obama]], the American [[Central Intelligence Agency]] played an active role since the early stages of the [[Syrian Civil War]]. The U.S. originally supplied the moderate rebels of the [[Free Syrian Army]] with non-lethal aid but soon escalated to providing training, cash and intelligence to selected rebel commanders.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Tom|author2=Fordham, Alice|title=CIA Is Quietly Ramping Up Aid To Syrian Rebels, Sources Say|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/04/23/306233248/cia-is-quietly-ramping-up-aid-to-syrian-rebels-sources-say|accessdate=20 September 2014|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=23 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Spencer|first1=Richard|title=US-backed head of Free Syria Army voted out|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10644538/US-backed-head-of-Free-Syria-Army-voted-out.html|accessdate=20 September 2014|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=17 Feb 2014}}</ref><ref name=frontline-2014-05-26>{{cite news|last1=Youssef|first1=Nancy A.|title=Syrian Rebels Describe U.S.-Backed Training in Qatar|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/foreign-affairs-defense/syria-arming-the-rebels/syrian-rebels-describe-u-s-backed-training-in-qatar/|accessdate=20 September 2014|publisher=[[PBS]] - Frontline|date=26 May 2014|archive-date= 20 September 2014|archive-url=http://www.webcitation.org/6SidZu5ZR}}</ref>


On 17 September, the House of Representatives voted to authorize the executive branch to train and arm Syrian rebels against ISIS forces.<ref>{{cite news|title=House Grudgingly Approves Arms for Syrian Rebels|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/wary-lawmakers-ready-arms-syrian-rebels-25557894|accessdate=7 September 2014|publisher=Associated Press|date=17 September 2014|accessdate=19 September 2014}}</ref> One of the groups that United States intends to train and arm is the Islamist [[Army of Mujahedeen]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=After A Long Wait, Syrian Rebels Hope The Weapons Will Now Flow|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/09/17/349075789/after-a-long-wait-syrian-rebels-hope-the-weapons-will-now-flow|date=17 September 2014|accessdate=19 September 2014|publisher=NPR}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/01/04/New-Syria-rebel-alliance-declares-war-on-al-Qaeda.html|title=Syria opposition says it backs rebel fight against al-Qaeda|publisher=Al Arabiya News|date=4 January 2014|accessdate=20 September 2014}}</ref>
On 17 September, the House of Representatives voted to authorize the executive branch to train and arm Syrian rebels against ISIS forces.<ref>{{cite news|title=House Grudgingly Approves Arms for Syrian Rebels|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/wary-lawmakers-ready-arms-syrian-rebels-25557894|accessdate=7 September 2014|publisher=Associated Press|date=17 September 2014|accessdate=19 September 2014}}</ref> One of the groups that United States currently arms is [[Harakat Hazm]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=After A Long Wait, Syrian Rebels Hope The Weapons Will Now Flow|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/09/17/349075789/after-a-long-wait-syrian-rebels-hope-the-weapons-will-now-flow|date=17 September 2014|accessdate=19 September 2014|publisher=NPR}}</ref>


== Preparations ==
== Preparations ==

Revision as of 00:11, 25 September 2014

US intervention in the Syrian civil war
Part of 2014 military intervention against ISIS, Syrian Civil War, Global War on Terrorism

Tomahawk missiles being fired from the USS Philippine Sea and the USS Arleigh Burke at IS targets in Syria
Date22 September 2014 – present (10 years, 3 weeks and 1 day)
Location
Syria
Result Ongoing
Belligerents
 United States
 Bahrain
 Jordan
 Saudi Arabia
 UAE[1]
 Qatar[2]

 Islamic State[3]

al-Qaeda

Commanders and leaders
Barack Obama
Lloyd Austin		 Islamic State Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Abu Mohammad al-Golani
Abu Yousef al-Turki †[5]
Strength

United States:

Fighter aircraft

Bomber aircraft

Islamic State: 31,000[8]–50,000[9]

Al-Nusra Front: 5,000–6,000[10]
Casualties and losses
1 UAV crashed[11][12] 70–150 killed, 200–300 wounded (ISIS)[13]
50 killed (Nusra/Khorasan)[14]
8 civilians killed[14]

The 2014 American intervention in Syria is an extension into Syria of the current American-led campaign in Iraq. The United States started planning strikes against Syrian positions held by the Islamic State during September 2014. On 10 September 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."[15] On 22 September 2014,[16] the United States and Arab partners began to strike targets inside Syria.[3]

Background

Further information: Arab Spring and Syrian Civil War

Following the start of the Arab Spring, peaceful protests in Syria against the Assad administration were suppressed and became violent.[17] 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 with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[18]

July 2014 rescue mission

Main article: 2014 American rescue mission in Syria

Following the abduction of a number of foreigners in Syria, on 4 July 2014, U.S. air strikes were conducted against the ISIS military base known as the "Osama bin Laden Camp". At the same time, two dozen special operations members parachuted from helicopters near an ISIS building for high-valued prisoners. However, no prisoners were found in the building and the special forces members were soon engaged by ISIS forces from Ar-Raqqah and a three-hour firefight ensued.[19] Eventually, U.S. forces came to the conclusion that the hostages were no longer at the site and abandoned the rescue attempt. At least 5 ISIS fighters were killed and a U.S soldier was wounded. Jordanian forces were also reportedly involved in the operation with one Jordanian soldier also wounded, but this was not confirmed. Later it was reported the hostages had been moved 24 hours before the attempted rescue.[19] It remained unclear whether the operation failed due to bad intelligence or whether ISIS forces were alerted in advance of the mission.[20]

In the aftermath of the operation, three hostages were executed over a one-month period: Americans James Foley[19] and Steven Sotloff[21] and Briton David Haines.[22]

Surveillance flights over Syria

On 26 August, the U.S. began sending surveillance flights, including drones, into Syria to gather intelligence on ISIS targets in Syria. The flights started gathering intelligence that would aid any future U.S. airstrikes, however airstrikes were not yet authorized.[23] No approval was sought from the Syrian Arab Republic for the flights entering Syrian airspace.[24]

Arming the rebels

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

At the direction of President Obama, the American Central Intelligence Agency played an active role since the early stages of the Syrian Civil War. The U.S. originally supplied the moderate rebels of the Free Syrian Army with non-lethal aid but soon escalated to providing training, cash and intelligence to selected rebel commanders.[25][26][27]

On 17 September, the House of Representatives voted to authorize the executive branch to train and arm Syrian rebels against ISIS forces.[28] One of the groups that United States currently arms is Harakat Hazm.[29]

Preparations

In his address to the nation on 10 September, U. S. president Barack Obama announced his intention to bomb ISIS in Syria and to train rebels, with or without the consent of Congress.[30] For the first time he authorised direct attacks against the militant group in Syria. In his address he said that the United States are going on offensive launching "a steady, relentless effort to take out" the jihadist group that has seized vast swaths of Iraq and has a large safe haven in Syria, "wherever they exist." Obama also announced creating of a broader coalition against ISIS.[31]

Commenting on Obama's address, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich opposed the U. S. intervention against the ISIS "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".[32]

On 17 September, the U. S. House of Representatives gave bipartisan approval to Obama's plan to train and arm the Syrian rebels in their fight against the ISIS. In a statement after the House vote, Obama said that the United States won't send military troops to Syria.[33] The U. S. top military leadership approved Obama's plan on 18 September. The Senate gave final congressional approval to Obama's proposal the next day.[34]

The spokesperson for the United States Department of State, Jen Psaki, told that the United States didn't ask for Syrian permission to start the intervention or made coordinated actions with the Syrian government, but the United States warned Syria not to engage US aircraft. The United States didn't gave any advance notification to the Syrians at a a military level, or give any indication of our timing on specific targets.[35] However, Syrian foreign ministry said that the United States did inform the Syrian envoy to the United Nations before launching airstrikes against the ISIS.[36]

Before the airstrikes began, the United State informed Iran, the Assad regime's largest regional ally, of their intention to launch airstrikes. They did not share specific timing or targets of the strikes with the Iranian government, who were concerned with whether the US would strike any regime targets.[37]

Air campaign

Multi-national airstrikes

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

On 22 September, 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 authorized by President Barack Obama.[38] Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were identified as countries making or supporting airstrikes the first night.[2] The initial strikes were coordinated by United States Central Command [1] and targeted about 20 Islamic State targets, including headquarters buildings.[39] Anti-Islamic State 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.[40]

FA-18 Hornet takes off from the USS George H.W. Bush to strike IS targets in Syria on September 23

The US also targeted the al Qaeda affiliated Al-Nusra Front and Khorasan Group[41] in the Aleppo and Idlib governorates of Syria.[42]

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 since entering service in 2005.[7]

At least 70 IS fighters, 50 fighters affiliated with al Qaeda and civilians were killed overnight by the strikes according to the SOHR. Eight strikes were launched against the group Khorasan.[43]

On 24 September, the United States and Arab partners conducted another round of airstrikes on Islamic State facilities in Syria. The airstrikes were targeting oil production facilities controlled by the Islamic State who had been using the oil in order to fund their activities. Some of the targets were apparently also mobile production facilities and those were most likely not refineries which other strikes targeted. [44]

Disruption of plot

One of the groups targeted by U.S. strikes is the Khorasan Group, a jihadist group comprised of seasoned al Qaeda members who were alleged to have been plotting an imminent attack against U.S. and western interests.[45] The strikes targeted Khorasan training camps, explosives and munitions production facilities, communications facilities, and command and control facilities. The group is known for its advanced bomb making skills and their plot is thought to involve a bomb made of a nonmetallic device such a toothpaste container or clothes dipped in explosive material.[46] The group is lead by Muhsin al-Fadhli, a designated foreign terrorist by the U.S. State department.[46] Intelligence officials were concerned 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.[46]

U.S. Air Force fighter drops ordinance on an Islamic State compound in Ar-Raqqah, Syria on September 23, 2014.

Syrian government involvement

Syria's government did not request or approve the airstrikes, although it is fighting ISIS militants. Assad's military possesses sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles, mostly near the capital of Damascus and the border with Israel and not in ISIL controlled areas.[39] Syria stated they were advised by the US the day before of the air strikes.[39] In a statement on 23 September, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki stated that the U.S. did not request permission from the Syrian regime nor did they coordinate their actions with the Syrian government, provide advance 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 Syrians confirmed.[45] The Pentagon’s director for operations described Syrian military radar as “passive” during the air strikes, with no attempt to counter US aircraft.[47]

Foreign reactions

  •  Australia – Tony Abbott, Prime Minister of Australia, praised the strikes, saying that an international effort was needed in order to combat the Islamic State threat.[45]
  •  Netherlands – Mark Rutte, minister-president of the Netherlands, showed understanding for the strikes against the Islamic State in Syria and said that his government is currently exploring the options to contribute in the fight against IS.[48]
  •  Russia – Alexander Lukashevich, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, opposed the U.S. 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".[32]
  •  Syria – 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".[32]
  •  United Kingdom – A spokesperson for the British Prime Minister stated that the British government supported the latest airstrikes against IS but did not indicate whether the UK would participate in any future airstrikes. But, he later recalled Parliament from it's conference break to debate action in Iraq and Syria. [49]
  •  United Nations – Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary-general, welcomed the airstrikes against militans in Syria, but noted that the involved parties "must abide by international humanitarian law and take all precautions to avoid and minimize civilian casualties".[50]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "U.S. airstrikes hit ISIS inside Syria for first time". CNN. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b "U.S., Arab partners launch first strikes on IS in Syria". Reuters. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  3. ^ a b "U.S. airstrikes hit ISIS inside Syria for first time". ABC News. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  4. ^ "US-led strikes hit Qaeda in Syria as well as IS: Monitor". AFP. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  5. ^ Chelsea J. Carter, Elise Labott, Jim Sciutto (23 September 2014). "'The Turk' is dead: Al Qaeda-linked terror group says leader died in Syria airstrikes". CNN. CNN News. Retrieved 23 September 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ a b c d e "U.S., Arab Allies Strike ISIS in Syria". NBC News. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  7. ^ a b Barnes, Julian (22 September 2014). "U.S., Arab Allies Launch Strikes Against Militant Targets In Syria". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  8. ^ "Islamic State fighter estimate triples - CIA". BBC. 12 September 2014.
  9. ^ "NGO: Islamic State has 50,000 members in Syria". NOW News. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  10. ^ "Why Is Jabhat al-Nusra No Longer Useful to Turkey?". U.S News. 11 June 2014.
  11. ^ "US launch air strikes on Isil as Kurds flee Syria". The Telegraph. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  12. ^ Peter Baker (23 September 2014). "In Airstrikes, U.S. Targets Militant Cell Said to Plot an Attack Against the West". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  13. ^ SOHR
  14. ^ a b "US strikes kill 50 Qaeda fighters in Syria: activists". Agence France Presse. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  15. ^ "President Obama: "We Will Degrade and Ultimately Destroy ISIL"". White House. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  16. ^ "Syria air strike: Twitter user Abdulkader Hariri live tweets US Islamic State attack 'before Pentagon breaks news'". Independent. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  17. ^ Holliday, Joseph (December 2011). "The Struggle for Syria in 2011 - An Operational and Regional Analysis". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  18. ^ Abouzeid, Rania (23 June 2014). "The Jihad Next Door - The roots of Iraq's newest civil war". Politico. Archived from the original on 20 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  19. ^ a b c "The failed US mission to try and rescue James Foley from Islamic State terrorists". Telegraph. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  20. ^ "Rising danger prompted U.S. effort to rescue James Foley, other hostages". los Angeles Times. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  21. ^ "British hostage whose life is threatened in latest ISIS execution video was subject of failed rescue attempt by US special forces". Daily Mail. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  22. ^ "Islamic State says it executed British aid worker". Boston Globe. 14 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  23. ^ "AP source: Obama backs surveillance over Syria". Associated Press. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  24. ^ "U.S. Lays Groundwork for Syria Strike". Wall Street Journal. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  25. ^ Bowman, Tom; Fordham, Alice (23 April 2014). "CIA Is Quietly Ramping Up Aid To Syrian Rebels, Sources Say". BBC News. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  26. ^ Spencer, Richard (17 Feb 2014). "US-backed head of Free Syria Army voted out". The Telegraph. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  27. ^ Youssef, Nancy A. (26 May 2014). "Syrian Rebels Describe U.S.-Backed Training in Qatar". PBS - Frontline. Archived from the original on 20 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  28. ^ "House Grudgingly Approves Arms for Syrian Rebels". Associated Press. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  29. ^ "After A Long Wait, Syrian Rebels Hope The Weapons Will Now Flow". NPR. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  30. ^ "Obama outlines plan to target IS fighters". Al Jazeera English. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  31. ^ Miller, Zake (10 September 2014). "Obama Says U.S. Will Bomb ISIS in Syria, Train Rebels". Time. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  32. ^ a b c "Russia warns US against strikes on Islamic State in Syria". BBC. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  33. ^ O'Keefe, Ed (17 September 2014). "House approves Obama's Iraq-Syria military strategy amid skepticism". The Washington Post. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  34. ^ Carter, Chelsea J.; Starr, Barbara (19 September 2014). "http://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/18/world/meast/isis-threat/". Retrieved 23 September 2014. {{cite news}}: External link in |title= (help)
  35. ^ Chulov, Martin; Ackerman, Spencer (23 September 2014). "US confirms 14 air strikes against Isis in Syria". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  36. ^ "Damascus says Washington gave UN envoy advance notice before airstrikes". Fox News Channel. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  37. ^ "Exclusive: U.S. told Iran of intent to strike Islamic State in Syria". Reuters. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  38. ^ "U.S. Airstrikes by U.S. and Allies Hit ISIS Targets in Syria". New York Times. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  39. ^ a b c "U.S. airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Syria start". USA Today. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  40. ^ "U.S. and partners launch airstrikes in Syria against Islamic State". CTV News. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  41. ^ "US Syria raids also aimed at thwarting attack plot: Pentagon". Daily Star. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  42. ^ "Air strikes in Syria hit Islamic State and al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front: monitor". Reuters. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  43. ^ "US, Arab allies launch first strikes on fighters in Syria". Daily Star. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  44. ^ "US-Led Planes Strike ISIS Oil Facilities in Syria". ABC News. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  45. ^ a b c "US: Syria Won't, Can't Stop Militant Safe Havens". Voice of America. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  46. ^ a b c "Source: Al Qaeda group in Syria plotted attack against U.S. with explosive clothes". CNN. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  47. ^ Collard, Rebecca; Murphy, Brian (23 September 2014). "Syria informed in advance of U.S.-led airstrikes against Islamic State". The Washington Post. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  48. ^ "Rutte: begrip voor bombardement Syrië (Dutch)". Dagblad van het Noorden. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  49. ^ "Around world, mixed reactions to U.S.-led airstrikes in Syria". Washington Post. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  50. ^ "UN chief welcomes airstrikes in Syria". Daily Star. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
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