Multiphase Flow

Reporting from Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF – OIR), Keerthana Nimmagadda takes a glance at the structure of the campaign established to defeat the Da’esh.

On 17 October 2014, the Department of Defense of the United States of America (USA) formally announced the existence of the CJTF – its mission being “to militarily defeat DA’ESH in the Combined Joint Operations Area by, with, and through regional partners in order to enable whole-of-governmental actions to increase regional stability”.[1] A meeting at the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels, Belgium on 3 December 2014, led to the formation of the global coalition, consisting of 60 countries and international organisations, led by the USA, to battle the jihadists for “as long as it takes”.[2]

To accomplish the mission of the campaign, the operation has been split into four phases – Phase I (Degrade), Phase II (Counterattack), Phase III (Defeat), and Phase IV (Support Stabilisation).

Phase I of the operation, Degrade, largely dealt with the deterioration of the Da’esh military forces in 2014. This was achieved by the CJTF providing training to the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), and various Syrian rebel forces to take out the Da’esh militaries. The CJTF also provided equipment, advice, and assistance to the partnered forces. Towards the end of 2015, a transition took place from Phase I to Phase II.

Phase II was termed Counterattack, and all the preparations made in Phase I were put into action during Phase II. The partnered forces gained momentum in terms of combat effectiveness and conducted various strikes against Da’esh fighters with the help of the CJTF. The partnered forces were still being trained by the CJTF, to elevate the quality of various manoeuvers that were taught to them. This phase was important in shaping future battles against the Da’esh.

Phase III, or Defeat, was imperative in conducting decisive battles against the Da’esh. The main aim was to liberate the two capitols that were in control under the Da’esh – i.e. Al Raqqah in the Syrian Arab Republic (Syria), and Mosul in the Republic of Iraq (Iraq). The CJTF had also planned on, and succeeded in, wiping out the physical and psychological means to fight in the Da’esh fighters. They also proceeded to clear out the remaining Da’esh forces in the nooks and crannies of the aforementioned countries.

The last phase, Phase IV, is dubbed as Support Stabilisation. The CJTF aims to provide support, security, and planning to the authorities of the Iraqi and Syrian governments.

The mission has been successful in regaining a significant amount of square kilometers from the Da’esh, whilst also reducing the terror induced by the Da’esh fighters amongst the civilians – all while sticking to its motto: One Mission, Many Nations.

[1] http://www.inherentresolve.mil/campaign/

[2] http://www.france24.com/en/20141203-kerry-coalition-islamic-state-brussels-nato-iraq

(Edited by Shruthi Subramanian)