The global War on Terror which started on that fateful day in 2001 continues. Late last month, a joint mission was conducted between the Iraqi and US militaries. Multiple ISIS camps and hideouts were attacked, and 14 or 15 ISIS operatives were killed. This raid was particularly notable because of the number of US troops involved in the operation. Since 2021, US Central Command (in charge of operations in the Middle East) has acted in a more supportive role as its mission switched from combat to “advise and assist.”
ISIS is one of the principal terrorist actors in the Middle East, and although their reach and numbers have diminished since their height in the mid-2010s they are still a group that must be held in check. This year is on track to have double the number of ISIS attacks on Iraq and Syria, according to a New York Times report, which may be one of the reasons for the increased US involvement.
The source of these attacks comes from the Anbar desert, where the majority of ISIS’s camps are. However, the Iraqi government has been able to ward off attacks, they have yet to be able to assure destruction of the terrorist group’s base of supplies. This is where the latest raid was held. Although exact details have not been released due to the covert nature of the operation, we do know that 14 (according to the Iraqis) or 15 (according to the US) ISIS operatives were killed. Several high-ranking leaders were killed or captured, but their names have not been released. Iraqi casualties are unknown, but there were only 7 wounded and no dead among the 100-plus strong US force involved.
This potentially increased operational tempo in the Middle East comes at an interesting time for American foreign policy. A carrier group has been assigned to the region in case of a possible larger Arab-Israeli conflict breaking out. However, in recent years the US has focused far more of its resources—both monetary and military—in Eastern Europe and Asia. Supporting Ukraine and Russia, as well as shoring up Taiwanese defenses, has been far more important than rooting out small camps in the desert. Given that the Middle East has been heating up for the past year, a foreign policy shift may be in the queue for the next administration.
This strike will certainly allow the Iraqi government to continue to attack ISIS where it hurts, potentially leading to more stability in the region. Although US troops might not be involved in future operations, Air Force drones are actively searching for future targets for the Iraqis to strike. If the next administration continues to supply support to the Iraqi government, ISIS may cease to be a threat altogether.
