2019 Operation Inherent Resolve: Up-to-Date Report of DoD Inspector General on Fight Against ISIS, Military Response to Planned Withdrawal from Syria, Coalition Support to Iraqi Security, Iranian Role

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction - it is not a print replica, and thus it is suitable for all devices. Issued in early 2019, this vital report from the Department of Defense Inspector General provides an up-to-date and comprehensive status report on America's ongoing fight in the Middle East against ISIS. The United States launched Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in 2014 to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and to set the conditions for follow on operations to increase regional stability. The strategy to defeat ISIS includes military operations, as well as support for local security forces, diplomacy, governance, and stabilization programs. This report provides information on the status of OIR. It discusses the ramifications of the withdrawal from Syria announced by President Trump, with the following comments about the possible implications:

ISIS may conduct opportunistic attacks on U.S. personnel as they withdraw but will leverage the event as a "victory" in its media. ISIS remains an active insurgent group in both Iraq and Syria. If Sunni socio-economic, political, and sectarian grievances are not adequately addressed by the national and local governments of Iraq and Syria it is very likely that ISIS will have the opportunity to set conditions for future resurgence and territorial control. Currently, ISIS is regenerating key functions and capabilities more quickly in Iraq than in Syria, but absent sustained [counterterrorism] pressure, ISIS could likely resurge in Syria within six to twelve months and regain limited territory in the [Middle Euphrates River Valley (MERV)].

According to the DoD, while U.S.-backed Syrian forces have continued the fight to retake the remaining ISIS strongholds in Syria, ISIS remains a potent force of battle-hardened and well-disciplined fighters that "could likely resurge in Syria" absent continued counterterrorism pressure. According to the DoD, ISIS is still able to coordinate offensives and counter-offensives, as well as operate as a decentralized insurgency. In Iraq, according to the DoD, security has improved in Iraq's cities during this quarter, but ISIS remains active in rural parts of the country. In addition, the DoD reported that the Iraqi Security Forces are still reliant on United States and Coalition support.