Combined Joint Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve
Combined Joint Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF–OIR) is a United States-led multinational military coalition established to coordinate and conduct operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) in Iraq, Syria, and surrounding regions. Formed in 2014, it operates under the authority of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and involves a coalition of more than 80 nations and partner organisations. The task force aims to dismantle ISIS’s territorial control, eliminate its leadership, and stabilise liberated regions through military, intelligence, and humanitarian cooperation.
Background and Formation
The emergence of ISIS in 2013–2014, following the instability of the Iraq War and the Syrian Civil War, created a transnational threat. ISIS seized significant territories across northern Iraq and eastern Syria, declaring a self-proclaimed caliphate under Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The group’s brutality, human rights abuses, and terrorist activities prompted a global response.
In response, the United States and partner nations launched Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in August 2014. Initially focused on halting ISIS’s advance in Iraq, the operation expanded into Syria to dismantle the group’s strongholds and command structures. CJTF–OIR was officially established on 17 October 2014 to coordinate and unify coalition efforts, bringing together diverse military forces under a centralised command structure.
Objectives and Strategic Goals
CJTF–OIR’s mission centres around four main strategic objectives:
- Defeat of ISIS: Conducting precision airstrikes, ground operations, and special forces missions to eliminate ISIS’s military capabilities and leadership.
- Support of Local Forces: Training, advising, and equipping local military and paramilitary groups, including the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
- Stabilisation of Liberated Areas: Supporting reconstruction, humanitarian aid, and governance initiatives to ensure stability in post-ISIS regions.
- Counterterrorism Operations: Preventing the resurgence of ISIS and its affiliates through intelligence sharing, surveillance, and continued security cooperation.
Command Structure and Coalition Members
The task force operates under U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) with its headquarters based at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, and operational coordination at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The CJTF–OIR command rotates among senior U.S. Army officers, with coalition partners integrated into the staff structure.
The coalition includes NATO members and regional partners such as the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Canada, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and others. Member states contribute in various capacities, including air support, intelligence, logistics, and humanitarian assistance. The multinational character of CJTF–OIR allows for comprehensive military coordination and diplomatic collaboration across national boundaries.
Military Operations and Key Campaigns
CJTF–OIR has conducted several major operations targeting ISIS’s territorial and operational strongholds:
- Operation Euphrates Wrath (2016–2019): Conducted in partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces to liberate Raqqa, the de facto ISIS capital in Syria.
- Battle of Mosul (2016–2017): One of the most significant campaigns in Iraq, resulting in the liberation of Mosul, ISIS’s primary stronghold in Iraq.
- Operation Roundup (2018–2019): Targeted ISIS remnants in eastern Syria, culminating in the fall of Baghouz, the group’s last territorial enclave, in March 2019.
- Post-Caliphate Operations (2019–present): Focused on preventing ISIS resurgence through targeted strikes, intelligence operations, and continued training of local forces.
These campaigns significantly weakened ISIS’s command structure and reduced its ability to control territory, although insurgent and terrorist cells continue to pose threats across the region.
Humanitarian and Stabilisation Efforts
Beyond combat operations, CJTF–OIR engages in stabilisation efforts to rebuild infrastructure and governance in liberated regions. Coalition nations contribute to reconstruction of essential services, demining operations, and humanitarian aid delivery to displaced populations. Programmes such as Train and Equip and Counter-ISIS Training have strengthened the capacities of Iraqi and Kurdish security forces, enabling them to maintain stability and prevent extremist resurgence.
International organisations, including the United Nations and non-governmental organisations, work in tandem with CJTF–OIR to provide support for displaced persons and restore civil administration. These collaborative efforts aim to address the root causes of extremism, such as political disenfranchisement, economic instability, and sectarian division.
Challenges and Criticism
CJTF–OIR has faced a range of operational and political challenges. Critics have pointed to the complexity of coordinating multinational forces with differing mandates and legal frameworks. The operation’s reliance on local militias, particularly in Syria, has raised concerns regarding human rights and long-term political legitimacy. Civilian casualties resulting from coalition airstrikes have also drawn international scrutiny, prompting reviews of targeting protocols and operational transparency.
Additionally, the shifting geopolitical environment—particularly the involvement of Russia, Iran, and Turkey in Syria—has complicated coalition strategies. Despite ISIS’s territorial defeat, the persistence of its ideological influence and affiliated groups continues to challenge the coalition’s long-term goals.
Legacy and Continuing Role
Although ISIS lost its territorial caliphate by 2019, CJTF–OIR remains active in supporting counterterrorism operations and regional security. The coalition continues to advise and assist partner forces, focusing on intelligence sharing, surveillance, and counter-insurgency missions.
The task force has transitioned from direct combat to a “by, with, and through” approach—empowering local forces to take the lead while coalition forces provide strategic and technical support. This shift underscores the coalition’s intent to sustain regional stability and prevent the re-emergence of extremist threats without large-scale foreign troop deployment.
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