The Islamic State insurgency in Iraq is an ongoing
low-intensity insurgency
An insurgency is a violent, armed rebellion by small, lightly armed bands who practice guerrilla warfare against a larger authority. The key descriptive feature of insurgency is its asymmetric warfare, asymmetric nature: small irregular forces ...
that began in 2017 after the
Islamic State
The Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Daesh, is a transnational Salafi jihadism, Salafi jihadist organization and unrecognized quasi-state. IS ...
(IS) lost its
territorial control in the
War in Iraq, during which IS and allied
White Flags fought the
Iraqi military (largely backed by the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
,
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
and
other countries conducting airstrikes against IS) and
allied paramilitary
A paramilitary is a military that is not a part of a country's official or legitimate armed forces. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the use of the term "paramilitary" as far back as 1934.
Overview
Though a paramilitary is, by definiti ...
forces (largely backed by
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...
).
Context
The insurgency is a direct continuation of the
War in Iraq from 2013 to 2017, with IS continuing armed opposition against the Shia-led
Iraqi Government. Along with the Islamic State, other insurgents fighting the government include a group known as the
White Flags which is reportedly composed of former IS members and Kurdish rebels and is believed by the government of Iraq to be part of
Ansar al-Islam and possibly affiliated with
al-Qaeda
, image = Flag of Jihad.svg
, caption = Jihadist flag, Flag used by various al-Qaeda factions
, founder = Osama bin Laden{{Assassinated, Killing of Osama bin Laden
, leaders = {{Plainlist,
* Osama bin Lad ...
.
The group operates mostly in the
Kirkuk Governorate and has used an assortment of
guerilla tactics against government forces. In September 2017,
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of IS, called on IS supporters around the world to launch attacks on Western news media and continued in his message the IS must focus on combating the two-pronged attack on the Muslim
Ummah
' (; ) is an Arabic word meaning Muslim identity, nation, religious community, or the concept of a Commonwealth of the Muslim Believers ( '). It is a synonym for ' (, lit. 'the Islamic nation'); it is commonly used to mean the collective com ...
; these statements marked a departure from previous rhetoric which was focused on the state building of IS and heralded a shift in IS's strategy toward a classical insurgency.
Course of the insurgency
Since IS's
loss of all territory in Iraq in late 2017 which was declared as Iraq's victory over IS and widely seen as an end to the war, and declared as such by Iraq's Prime Minister
Haidar al-Abadi, multiple incidents of violence have occurred being carried out by the conflicting sides, in spite of Iraq's declaration of victory over IS the group is widely seen as far from gone and continues to retain a presence throughout Iraq, and still capable of carrying out attacks and skirmishes with pro-government forces. IS has been waging a
guerrilla war with a strong presence in the governorates of
Kirkuk
Kirkuk (; ; ; ) is a major city in northern Iraq, serving as the capital of the Kirkuk Governorate. The city is home to a diverse population of Kurds, Iraqi Turkmen, Iraqi Turkmens and Arabs. Kirkuk sits on the ruins of the original Kirkuk Cit ...
,
Diyala,
Saladin, and
Sulaymaniyah, with local forces largely ill-equipped and inexperienced, IS has also taken advantage of the areas' rough terrain to carry out operations. IS has also made a notable presence in the cities of
Kirkuk
Kirkuk (; ; ; ) is a major city in northern Iraq, serving as the capital of the Kirkuk Governorate. The city is home to a diverse population of Kurds, Iraqi Turkmen, Iraqi Turkmens and Arabs. Kirkuk sits on the ruins of the original Kirkuk Cit ...
,
Hawija and
Tuz Khurmato and has carried out attacks at night in rural areas.
IS fighters also reportedly move through villages during the day without interference from security forces, and locals have been asked by IS to give fighters food and give information on the whereabouts of Iraqi personnel, locals have also stated that IS fighters will frequently enter into Mosques and ask for
Zakat to fund the insurgency. Among IS's operations include assassinations, kidnappings, raids and ambushes.
As of 2021, U.S. officials warned that IS "remains capable of waging a prolonged insurgency” but also described IS in Iraq as "diminished”. Iraqi intelligence estimated that IS has 2,000–3,000 fighters in Iraq.
Following IS's defeat in December 2017, they have been greatly weakened and violence in Iraq has been sharply reduced. 20 civilians lost their lives from violence-related incidents during October 2024, the lowest figure in 21 years. By 2024, attacks claimed by IS have gone down by 94% compared to 2019.
Timeline
2018
In 2018, 3,643 IS militants, 937 Iraqi security forces, 11 American service members, 1 British service member were killed. The death toll in this year was noted to be the lowest since 2003, when the United States invaded the country.
Notable events this year include:
*
2018 Baghdad bombings: On 15 January 2018, two
suicide bombings took place at al-Tayaran Square of
Baghdad
Baghdad ( or ; , ) is the capital and List of largest cities of Iraq, largest city of Iraq, located along the Tigris in the central part of the country. With a population exceeding 7 million, it ranks among the List of largest cities in the A ...
, killing 36 people and injuring more than 105 others.
*
Erbil Governate building standoff (2018): On 23 July 2018 Three gunmen stormed the
Erbil Governorate
Erbil Governorate (; ) is a governorate of Iraq in the Kurdistan Region. It is the capital and economic hub of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordere ...
building, killing one civilian and injuring a security guard before barricading themselves inside. Kurdish security forces neutralized the attackers with 2 dead and 1 captured (3 more connected to the attack arrested).
*
2018 Asdira funeral bombing: On 12 April 2018, a bombing killed 25 people and wounded 18 others. The attack took place at a funeral for Iraqi fighters who had been killed by IS.
2019
In 2019, 1,129 IS militants and 387 Iraqi security forces were killed.
Notable events this year include:
*
2019 Karbala bombing: On 20 September, 2019, a bomb exploded on a minibus near
Karbala, Iraq, killing 12 civilians and injuring at least five others. The bombing was one of the worst attacks against civilians since the end of the
War in Iraq of 2013 to 2017.
*
2019 K-1 Air Base attack: A rocket attack was carried out on the
K-1 Air Base in
Kirkuk province in
Iraq
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...
on 27 December 2019. The air base was one of many Iraqi military bases that host
Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) personnel and, according to the coalition, was attacked by more than 30 rockets. The identity of the perpetrators is disputed.
2020
In 2020, 777 IS militants and 412 Iraqi security forces were killed.
Notable events this year include:
*
Withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq (2020–2021): On 20 March 2020, CJTF-OIR confirmed that certain troops would be withdrawing from Iraq due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
.
2021
In 2021, 487 IS militants and 409 Iraqi security forces were killed.
Notable events this year include:
*
January 2021 Baghdad bombings: Two
suicide bombers attacked an
open-air market in central
Baghdad
Baghdad ( or ; , ) is the capital and List of largest cities of Iraq, largest city of Iraq, located along the Tigris in the central part of the country. With a population exceeding 7 million, it ranks among the List of largest cities in the A ...
,
Iraq
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...
. They killed at least 32 people and injured another 110. This was the Iraqi capital’s first terrorist attack since 2019.
2022
In 2022, 564 IS militants and 183 Iraqi security forces were killed. Furthermore, one US Marine died of non-combat related causes.
Notable events this year include:
*
2022 Diyala massacre: On January 21, 2022, several
Islamic State
The Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Daesh, is a transnational Salafi jihadism, Salafi jihadist organization and unrecognized quasi-state. IS ...
gunmen raided an
Iraqi Army base in rural al-Azim district,
Diyala Governorate
Diyala Governorate ( ) or Diyala Province is a Governorates of Iraq, governorate in northeastern Iraq.
Provincial Government
*Governor: Muthanna al-Tamimi
*Deputy Governor: Mohammed Jassim al-Jubouri
Council
Geography
Diyala Governorate ...
. At least 11 Iraqi soldiers were killed in their sleep.
*
2022 Kirkuk bombing: At least nine police officers were killed when a convoy hit a roadside bomb near
Kirkuk
Kirkuk (; ; ; ) is a major city in northern Iraq, serving as the capital of the Kirkuk Governorate. The city is home to a diverse population of Kurds, Iraqi Turkmen, Iraqi Turkmens and Arabs. Kirkuk sits on the ruins of the original Kirkuk Cit ...
,
Iraq
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...
. The bombing was followed by a gun fight. One
Islamic State
The Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Daesh, is a transnational Salafi jihadism, Salafi jihadist organization and unrecognized quasi-state. IS ...
militant was reported killed.
2023
In 2023, 281 IS militants, 61 Iraqi security forces and 3 French soldiers were killed.
2024
In 2024, 235 IS militants, 58 Iraqi security personnel and 42 civilians were killed. A further 166 IS militants were executed in prisons across Iraq.
Notable events this year include:
*
2024 Anbar raid: On 31 August 2024, a raid occurred in
Al Anbar Governorate where at least fifteen
Islamic State
The Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Daesh, is a transnational Salafi jihadism, Salafi jihadist organization and unrecognized quasi-state. IS ...
militants were killed and six U.S. soldiers were injured.
2025
Notable events this year include:
*
2025 Duhok axe attack: On 1 April 2025, a
Syrian national
went on a short-lived spree of attacks against
Assyrians celebrating the annual
Kha b-Nisan festival in
Duhok. Two people are confirmed to have been injured from the attacks,
while other sources suggest that an additional third person was from the
Asayish was injured. A source close to Iraqi Shafaq News stated that the attacker had conducted the attack as a terrorist operation linked to IS, but investigations have so far failed to uncover a specific motive.
Gallery
File:DVIDS_-_Video_-_Coalition_Strike_on_ISIS_traiing_location_on_Qanus_Island_Iraq.webm, Coalition airstrike on IS positions, Qanus Island, Iraq, September 2019
File:1st_Squadron,_3rd_Cavalry_Regiment,_operate_the_Drone_Defender.jpg, 1st Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment of the US Army drill with the Battelle Drone Defender in Iraq, 30 October 2018. US troops anticipate IS units deploying drones during reconnaissance
In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...
or attacks
File:Marine_Corps_withdrawal_from_Al-Taqaddum,_Iraq_(March_24,_2020).jpg, Marines of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines packing up gear to withdraw from Al-Taqaddum Air Base, 24 March 2020
File:Iraqi Security Forces Receive More Vehicles and Weapons, February 2021.jpg, On 6 February 2021, the coalition's CTEF (Counter-IS Train and Equip Fund) program delivered 15 land cruisers and 36 M249 Squad Automatic Weapons to Iraqi security forces at Al Asad Airbase.
See also
*
Iraq Body Count project
*
2015–2018 Iraqi protests
*
2019–2021 Iraqi protests
*
Eastern Syria insurgency, a similar insurgency in neighboring Syria
*
Casualty recording
*
List of terrorist incidents (1970–present)
Notes
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Iraqi insurgency (2017-present)
Articles containing video clips
Aftermath of the War in Iraq (2013–2017)
Wars involving Iraq
Wars involving the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Wars involving the Popular Mobilization Forces
2010s conflicts
2020s conflicts