ISIS insurgency timeline

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The group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), is a Sunni off-shoot of al-Qaeda attempting to create a new Islamic state, free of the leadership of the region's Shiite governments.^[1] After ISIS took control of large portions of both Iraq and Syria, the U.S., under orders from President Barack Obama first ordered support troops be sent to Iraq in order to help coordinate defenses around Baghdad and secure American locations in the region. The first bombing raid in Iraq by the U.S. began on August 8, 2014 and international coalition air strikes expanded to cover Syria on September 23. The administration and Congress also agreed on additional funding for the training of Syrian rebels to prevent American and coalition troops from having to engage in combat.

In an effort to dissuade western countries from getting involved, ISIS members released public videos of three beheadings, including two Americans, James Foley and Steven Sotloff. The third was a British aid worker, David Haines.

Background[edit]

Following the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, the Iraqi security forces were not well-trained or well-equipped enough to stave off ISIS, which had grown in power due to their actions in the civil war in neighboring Syria. In 2012, a U.S. military spokesman in Iraq claimed, "if the Iraqi security forces are not able to put pressure on them, they could regenerate." ISIS' recruiting methods were made easier due to Prime Minister Maliki's use of power in suppressing Sunni dissent and taking political prisoners.^[2] In 2014, following a period of poor relations with ISIS, al-Qaeda "disowned" the group after more than a decade of cooperation.^[3]

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi took control of the group in 2010. Baghdadi spent four years in a U.S. insurgent prison from 2005 to 2009 for his ties to al-Qaeda, creating valuable connections with fellow prisoners before joining and then leading ISIS. When he first took control of the group, it was operated in a way similar to organized crime syndicates, staying spread out and layered, to stay protected. However, over time ISIS has grown into a much larger-scale operation which takes control of large territories. By taking and holding territory, prison breaks helped boost manpower, captured military bases provided them with weaponry and strongholds and they took cash reserves from banks to help finance themselves. They also rely on some wealthy donors throughout the region.^[2]

The goal of ISIS was to create an Islamic state for Sunni muslims where Sharia law can be enforced, uniting parts of Iraq and Syria where the Sunni minorities live. The Soufan Group, a political risk consultant firm, stated, "ISIS has become indisputably the most effective and ruthless terrorist organization in the world."^[2]

Civilian death toll[edit]

The United Nations estimated that between January 1 and June 30, 2014, more than 5,500 civilians were killed in the ISIS offensive with more than 11,000 others injured. The toll is on pace to be much higher than the 7,800 civilians killed in the conflict in 2013. Another 1.2 million Iraqis had been forced from their homes at the time of the report. The report also examined the "systematic and egregious violations" of international law and war crimes including sexual violence, kidnappings, murders and attacks on religious worship locations.^[4]

ISIS insurgency timeline
Date	Event
June 10, 2014	ISIS took control of Mosul, Iraq.[5]
June 14, 2014	The U.S. Department of Defense ordered an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf.[6]
June 16, 2014	Two hundred and seventy-five military personnel were moved to the American embassy in Baghdad to protect it.[7]
June 19, 2014	Three hundred U.S. military advisers were ordered to Iraq in order to help Iraqi forces improve intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.[8]
June 24, 2014	President Obama briefed all 100 senators on the situation between Iraq, Syria, and ISIS.[9]
June 28, 2014	United States unmanned drones were deployed above Baghdad to protect U.S. service members and for reconnaissance.[10]
June 30, 2014	Another 300 U.S. military advisers were ordered to Baghdad.[11]
July 25, 2014	The U.S. House passed legislation blocking the president from sending ground troops to Iraq without congressional approval by a vote of 370-40.[12]
August 7, 2014	The U.S. carried out a humanitarian mission to provide needed supplies to over 40,000 Yazidi people trapped in the Sinjar Mountains by ISIS forces. The same day, President Barack Obama authorized the U.S. to carry out air strikes on ISIS targets surrounding the Sinjar Mountains in hopes of creating a way for the Yazidi people to escape ISIS.[13]
August 11, 2014	Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was ousted by the president of Iraq on August 11, 2014, a move that brought support from Obama and other heads of state around the world. Haider al-Abadi, of the same political party as Maliki, was nominated to replace Maliki.[14]
August 12, 2014	President Obama ordered 130 more military advisers to Iraq to manage the humanitarian efforts of the U.S. government.[15]
August 14, 2014	The combination of United States air strikes and Kurdish forces allowed the Yazidis to escape the Sinjar Mountains.[16]
August 15, 2014	Prime Minister Maliki agreed to step down.[17]
August 17, 2014	Air strikes were ordered on ISIS forces surrounding the Mosul Dam.[18]
August 19, 2014	ISIS released a video portraying the beheading of American photojournalist James Wright Foley.[19]
August 21, 2014	U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder launched a criminal investigation into the execution of James Foley by ISIS members.[20]
August 26, 2014	The U.S. military began expanding its mission when President Obama approved unmanned surveillance drone flights over Syria in preparation of possible air strikes against ISIS in the country.[21]
August 30, 2014	The U.S. and a coalition of European countries provided humanitarian aid drops into the city of Amirli, about 100 miles north of Baghdad, which had been under siege by ISIS forces for nearly two months. The help was requested by the Iraqi government.[22]
September 2, 2014	ISIS released a video showing the death of American journalist Steven Sotloff.[23]
September 8, 2014	A new cabinet was established in Iraq under Prime Minister al-Abadi, which allowed the government to move forward in establishing plans against ISIS.[24]
September 10, 2014	President Obama announced the administration's plan to form a coalition to fight ISIS, as well as a plan to arm and train Syrian rebels fighting against the terrorist group.[25]
September 13, 2014	ISIS released a video showing the beheading of British aid worker David Haines.[26]
September 19, 2014	President Obama signed into law congressional authorization for the U.S. military to arm and train Syrian rebels in order to fight ISIS.[27]
September 21, 2014	ISIS released 46 Turkish hostages captured during the takeover of Mosul.[28]
September 21, 2014	About 70,000 Kurds fled border towns in Syria to Turkey to escape ISIS advances.[29]
September 23, 2014	United States and coalition forces attacked ISIS targets in Syria with missile strikes for the first time.[30]

Mosul taken by ISIS[edit]

June 10, 2014

ISIS took over the city of Mosul, Iraq, on June 10, 2014.^[31] By mid-July the Christian residents of Mosul were given an ultimatum -- convert to Islam, leave, pay a tax, or face "the sword," by July 18. On July 18, 2014, ISIS changed the ultimatum forcing all Christians to leave Mosul by the next day or face death. The islamic letter for "N" was spray-painted on Christians' doors and declared the properties as owned by the Islamic State. Most Christians fled to Kurdish territory to the north and east of Mosul, which was emptied of Christians for the first time in 1,600 years.^[32] It was also reported on July 25, 2014, that ISIS had destroyed the Christian Tomb of Jonah in Mosul as well as previous reports that four shrines to Sunni Arab and Sufi figures and six Shiite mosques were destroyed.^[33][34]

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President Barack Obama

June 12, 2014

While reviewing options in dealing with increasing violence in Iraq by ISIS, President Barack Obama stated, "What we’ve seen over the last couple of days indicates Iraq’s going to need more help." White House Press Secretary Jay Carney cleared up the comments by insisting the president did not mean sending soldiers back to Iraq, suggesting, "We don’t believe that that is the approach that we should take in this case."^[35]

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was disappointed in the lack of immediate action by the administration and suggested, "Everybody in his national security team, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, ought to be replaced. It’s a colossal failure of American security policy."^[35]

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) encouraged the administration to begin talks with Congress, saying, "The way we ought to do this here in Washington is that the president should put a plan on the table and make a suggestion to Congress about what we should do. I would strongly recommend that the administration come to Congress very, very soon and put some options on the table about what we should be able to do."^[35]

June 13, 2014

Sens. McCain, Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bob Corker (R-TN) called for air strikes of ISIS with Graham stating, "Our most immediate priority must be to reverse the advance of a terrorist force that is more radical, violent, and ambitious than Al-Qaeda. We see no way to achieve this goal without U.S. air strikes."^[36]

June 18, 2014

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH)

Prior to a meeting with House and Senate leadership and President Obama, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) stated his desire to learn the administration's overall strategy for the Iraqi conflict, insisting, "What I’m hoping to hear from the president today is the broader strategy for how we help keep the freedom we paid dearly for the people of Iraq. It’s more than one step here. I’m looking for the overall strategy."^[37]

June 22, 2014

Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated his desire for the U.S. to stay out of Iraq, saying, "We strongly oppose the intervention of the U.S. and others in the domestic affairs of Iraq. The main dispute in Iraq is between those who want Iraq to join the U.S. camp and those who seek an independent Iraq. The U.S. aims to bring its own blind followers to power."^[38]

July 2, 2014

In a Politico editorial, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) argued "ISIL has been successful in Iraq largely because of Sunni animosity toward the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. His government has not governed inclusively and has fueled sectarian distrust. Simply put, Maliki needs to go."^[39]

July 6, 2014

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson admitted he was "concerned" about the possible threats posed by ISIS and heightened U.S. airport security in countries that had direct flights to the U.S.^[40]

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Christian genocide[edit]

Mark Arabo, a California businessman and Chaldean-American leader described the slaughtering of Christians by ISIS in an interview with CNN as a "Christian genocide." He said, "Christianity in Mosul is dead, and a Christian holocaust is in our midst. children are being beheaded, mothers are being raped and killed, and fathers are being hung."^[41]

He continued describing the atrocities, "They are systematically beheading children. And mothers and fathers. The world hasn't seen an evil like this for generations." "There's actually a park in Mosul where they actually beheaded children and put their heads on a stick... this is crimes against humanity. They are doing the most horrendous, the most heart-breaking crimes that you can think of."^[41]

ISIS decrees on treatment of women[edit]

July 25, 2014

ISIS issued decrees on the clothing worn by women in their territory on July 25, 2014, stating that women needed to wear full-face veils, have their hands and feet covered at all times, wear clothes that don't fit tightly on their bodies and not wear perfume. Additionally, they were told not to walk in public without a male accompanying them. ISIS' explanation of the new rules claimed, "The conditions imposed on her clothes and grooming was only to end the pretext of debauchery resulting from grooming and overdressing. This is not a restriction on her freedom but to prevent her from falling into humiliation and vulgarity or to be a theatre for the eyes of those who are looking." They also announced the punishment for not following the restrictions, stating, "Anyone who is not committed to this duty and is motivated by glamour will be subject to accountability and severe punishment to protect society from harm and to maintain the necessities of religion and protect it from debauchery."^[42]

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August 8, 2014

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)

While reiterating that the administration would not be sending troops into Iraq, Press Secretary Earnest insisted that the White House was not seeking additional funding for the conflict, explaining, "There are many challenges facing the people of Iraq right now, and it’s the view of the president that those challenges cannot be solved by the American military."^[43]

August 9, 2014

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said that President Barack Obama must seek congressional authorization if the airstrikes are to continue against ISIS forces in Iraq. Cruz said, "I believe initiating new military hostilities in a sustained basis in Iraq obligates the president to go back to Congress and to make the case and to seek congressional authorization. I hope that if he intends to continue this that he does that." Cruz has been largely supportive of the bombings and humanitarian aid, however. He stated, "I am glad that President Obama is finally beginning to take the threat of ISIS seriously."^[44]

August 10, 2014

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) staked his claim, "The bottom line is this: There is so much we can do to help the Iraqis help themselves." He also shared his stance on the possibility of a military intervention in the conflict, stating, "I can tell you this: Escalating it is not in the cards."^[45]

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized President Obama's lack of support to Syrian rebels during the civil war, suggesting it led to ISIS taking a hold in the country. She stated, "The failure to help build up a credible fighting force of the people who were the originators of the protests against Assad—there were Islamists, there were secularists, there was everything in the middle—the failure to do that left a big vacuum, which the jihadists have now filled."^[46]

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) criticized the administration's handling of foreign policy, claiming there was a "vacuum of American leadership throughout the Middle East." He argued for increased air strikes, including in Syria and providing equipment and training to the Iraqi military, Kurds and Free Syrian Army.^[47] He disagreed with the administration's strategy, suggesting, "Launching three strikes around a place where horrible humanitarian crisis is taking place, meanwhile [the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)] continues to make gains everywhere, yes is clearly very, very ineffective, to say the least."^[48]

Maliki ousted[edit]

August 11-15, 2014

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was ousted by the president of Iraq on August 11, 2014, a move that brought support from Obama and other heads of state around the world. Haider al-Abadi, of the same political party as Maliki, was nominated to replace Maliki in hopes of forming a more inclusive government to the region. Critics claimed Maliki made the situation worse by playing sectarian politics instead of maintaining a truly unifying government. Secretary of State John Kerry did worry, however, that Maliki would stir controversy in the area, suggesting, "The government formation process is critical in terms of sustaining stability and calm in Iraq. Our hope is that Mr Maliki will not stir those waters."^[49]

On August 13, 2014, Maliki issued an address rejecting the president's move in ousting him as prime minister as unconstitutional and insisted a federal court hear the case before he would leave office. Maliki stated, "Why do we insist that this government continue and stay as is until a decision by the federal court is issued? It is a constitutional violation — a conspiracy planned from the inside or from out.^[50] Maliki finally stepped down on August 15, 2014.^[51]

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August 12, 2014

Secretary Kerry meeting with newly appointed Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi

President Obama pledged support to Haider al-Abadi, upon being announced as a nominee to become Iraq's new prime minister, "There is no American military solution to the long-term crisis in Iraq. The only lasting solution is for Iraqis to come together and to form an inclusive government, one that represents the legitimate interests of all Iraqis and one that can unify the country’s fight against ISIL."^[52]

President Obama reportedly called lawmakers' criticisms of his policies in Syria "horseshit," according to an article by the Daily Beast. The criticism came after Obama proposed a $500 million plan to provide arms to some moderate opposition factions in Syria, who were fighting the Assad regime. The Central Intelligence Agency had begun providing some weapons to the groups since 2013, but Obama defended the administration's actions, stating, "This idea that we could provide some light arms or even more sophisticated arms to what was essentially an opposition made up of former doctors, farmers, pharmacists and so forth, and that they were going to be able to battle not only a well-armed state but also a well-armed state backed by Russia, backed by Iran, a battle-hardened Hezbollah, that was never in the cards."^[53]

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New Iraqi cabinet[edit]

September 8, 2014

On September 8, 2014, a new cabinet was established in Iraq under Prime Minister al-Abadi, which allowed the government to move forward in establishing plans against ISIS.^[54] U.S. Secretary Kerry spoke highly of the move, insisting it had "the potential to unite all of Iraq’s diverse communities."^[55]

Yazidis in Sinjar Mountains[edit]

August 7-14, 2014

As many as 40,000 Iraqi Yazidis were surrounded in the Sinjar Mountains as they fled ISIS' advances. The U.S. carried out a humanitarian mission on August 7, 2014, to provide needed supplies to the Yazidis. The same day, President Barack Obama authorized the U.S. to carry out air strikes on ISIS targets surrounding the Sinjar Mountains in hopes of creating a way for the Yazidi people to escape ISIS.^[56] The air strikes began the following day, continuing for two more days.^[57]

On August 13, 2014, an ISIS commander claimed the group had taken more than 100 women and children hostages from the village of Sinjar while taking over the territory.^[58]

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August 12, 2014

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) came forward with his thoughts on the air strikes in Iraq, pointing out, "I have mixed feelings about it,” the senator said Monday evening of the recent strikes against ISIL targets. “I’m not saying I’m completely opposed to helping with arms or maybe even bombing, but I am concerned that ISIS is big and powerful because we protected them in Syria for a year. Do you know who also hates ISIS and who is bombing them? Assad, the Syrian government."^[59]

Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) spoke out in support of the president's actions through airstrikes, but warned the administration about "mission creep" without approval from Congress. Hoyer claimed, "All of us agree that boots on the ground are not in the offing, at this point in time, nor should they be … without further consultation and action by the Congress. But I think the president is acting properly, and I have urged the administration to act decisively in terms of protection of the Kurdish area of Iraq and giving the humanitarian aid to the people who were surrounded on that mountain." Likewise, Lee stated, "If they change their policy and decide differently, other than limited targeted strikes … they should come to Congress, we should have a debate, and we should [have] the vote."^[60]

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

August 13, 2014

Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters U.S. military personnel were looking into the idea of a rescue operation to get the trapped Yazidis being held on a mountain in Iraq. He stated, "Well, that's exactly what we're assessing," Kerry responded. "This is precisely what the team that [President Obama] sent in is prepared to do. We will make a very rapid and critical assessment, because we understand it's urgent to try and move those people off the mountain. And I hope we can have more to report in short order."^[61]

Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes announced U.S. ground troops were still an option in attempting to free the Yazidis trapped by ISIS on Mt. Sinjar, explaining, "We don’t believe it’s sustainable to just have, you know, permanent airdrops to this population on the mountain. Some of them have been able to escape but, again, we want to get options in place to move them to a safer place."^[62]

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The combination of United States air strikes and Kurdish forces allowed the Yazidis to escape the Sinjar Mountains on August 14, 2014. It was initially thought that U.S. ground forces might be used in the rescue operation, but following a reconnaissance mission by U.S. military advisers, it was determined that U.S. troops were not necessary.^[63]

Mosul Dam air strikes[edit]

August 17, 2014

President Obama announced on August 17, 2014, U.S. air strikes would take place at Mosul Dam in an effort to allow Iraqi forces to capture it from ISIS. In the first two days, there were 23 air strikes in the area surrounding the Mosul Dam.^[18] According to reports on the morning of August 18, 2014, Iraqi and Kurdish forces re-captured the Mosul Dam. If the dam had been destroyed by ISIS forces, parts of Baghdad could have experienced significant flooding.^[64]

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August 17, 2014

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)

White House staff sent a letter to Congress explaining, "The mission is consistent with the president’s directive that the U.S. military protect U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq, since the failure of the Mosul Dam could threaten the lives of large numbers of civilians and threaten U.S. personnel and facilities — including the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad."^[18]

Sen. Eliot Engel (D-NY) admitted that the threat of ISIS may require ground forces, suggesting, "Ultimately, we may have some boots on the ground there," but he claimed it would not be the same as the prior invasion of Iraq. He defended his thoughts, stating, "What’s going on in Iraq is horrific, and it warrants a response,” Engel said. “We cannot just put our heads in the sand and pretend it doesn’t exist."^[65]

August 18, 2014

Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) announced their support for the administration's order for air strikes to re-take the Mosul Dam, stating, "We applaud President Obama's decision to step up U.S. air strikes in support of Kurdish and Arab Iraqi forces who are fighting to retake the Mosul Dam."^[66]

Hostage beheadings[edit]

Since 2009, over 50 foreigners had been captured by Islamic terror groups. Foley was only the second American executed since 2002, when journalist David Pearl was executed by al-Qaeda.^[67]

James Foley[edit]

August 19, 2014

On August 19, 2014, ISIS released a video portraying the beheading of who the group claimed to be American photojournalist James Wright Foley, who was taken captive in Syria in 2012. The ISIS operative in the video claimed the killing was a result of America's involvement helping Iraqi forces fight against ISIS advances. He also stated more assassinations would take place if the United States remained involved after forcing Foley to read a statement placing blame on America for his own death. The group also claimed to have journalist Steven Sotloff. In a statement, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said they were investigating the authenticity of the video and added, "If genuine, we are appalled by the brutal murder of an innocent American journalist and we express our deepest condolences to his family and friends."^[68]

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August 20, 2014

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

President Obama ensured that he would seek justice for Foley's execution, stating, "The United States of America will continue to do what we must to do protect our people. We will be vigilant and we will be relentless. When people harm Americans anywhere, we do what is necessary to make sure justice is done." He then went on to criticize the terrorist group, suggesting, "ISIL has no ideology of any value to human beings. Their ideology is bankrupt. They may claim out of expediency that they are at war with the United States or the West, but the fact is they terrorize their neighbors and offer them nothing but an endless slavery to their empty vision and the collapse of any definition of civilized behavior." He continued, "ISIL speaks for no religion. Their victims are overwhelmingly Muslim, and no faith teaches people to massacre innocents. No just god would stand for what they did yesterday and what they do every single day. ISIL has no ideology of any value to human beings."^[69]

August 21, 2014

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel claimed ISIS was more than "just a terrorist group," and warned that they pose a serious threat. He explained, "[ISIL] is as sophisticated and well-funded as any group that we have seen. They marry ideology, a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess. They are tremendously well-funded."^[70]

Governor of Texas Rick Perry

Appearing in Washington, D.C., Texas Governor Rick Perry expressed his concern that ISIS militants could be crossing the United States-Mexico border and infiltrating the United States, stating, "There's the obvious great concern that, because of the condition of the border from the standpoint of it not being secure, and us not knowing who is penetrating across, that individuals from ISIS or other terrorist states could be [crossing]. There's a very real possibility that they may have already used that [strategy]."^[71]

August 24, 2014

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) questioned what the administration's plan was to defeat ISIS, stating, "What I want to hear from our commander-in-chief is that he has a strategy to finish ISIS off. To defeat ISIS. If we don't deal with this threat now thoroughly and convincingly, it's going to come home to roost. I don't want to be an armchair general and tell you how this needs to be done, but I would reference the fact that Gen. Dempsey did say, to do this correctly, that Syria is going to have to be a part of this equation."^[72]

August 28, 2014

President Obama insisted Congress would be involved in the process as the administration determined how best to move forward against ISIS, but he admitted a plan was not yet developed, stating, "I don't want to put the cart before the horse. We don't have a strategy yet." He continued, insisting, "We are gonna work politically and diplomatically with folks in the region. And we're gonna cobble together the kind of coalition that we need for a long-term strategy as soon as we are able to fit together the military, political and economic components of that strategy. There will be a military aspect to that. And it's gonna be important for Congress to know what that is, in part because it may cost some money."^[73]

In response to criticism received over Obama's comment on not having a strategy, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest attempted to clarify, stating, "Our strategy is much broader than just the use of military force," claiming the administration had already been carrying out a "comprehensive strategy" for defeating ISIS.^[74]

August 29, 2014

New Hampshire Senate candidate Scott Brown released a Youtube video attacking the administration's foreign policy, particularly in Iraq and Syria. Brown stated in the video, "There are so many issues on the table right now that are affecting our foreign policy, but we have one of the most inconsistent foreign policies right now. And our allies don't trust us. Our foes don't fear or respect us. We're in trouble." In a statement Brown released, he followed up on his comments in the video, "One of the greatest threats facing the homeland today is the mayhem that will happen when hundreds of American ISIS fighters return to the United States to spread their terror here. Their goal is to march down Pennsylvania Avenue and plant a flag at the White House, and mass killing is their means for achieving that goal."^[75]

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According to a New York Times report on August 20, 2014, ISIS held three more Americans hostage in an effort to get the United States government to pay a $132 million ransom for Foley's release. While some European countries gave in to ISIS' demands, the President Obama was not willing to pay the ransom. He did, however, order a secret rescue mission in the summer of 2014, though the mission did not succeed in rescuing the hostages. In the video showing the beheading of Foley, the ISIS insurgent showed Sotloff, after Foley had been killed, and stated, "The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision." ISIS demanded millions in addition to the release of prisoners in exchange for the other Americans being held. British citizens were also in captivity, as the British government also would not negotiate with ISIS for their releases. A former New York Times correspondent and captive of the Taliban argued that the policy could cost more lives, though the administration believed dealing with ISIS could perpetuate the problem. The former captive, David Rohde, stated, "The payment of ransoms and abduction of foreigners must emerge from the shadows. It must be publicly debated. American and European policy makers should be forced to answer for their actions."^[67]

Steven Sotloff[edit]

September 2, 2014

On September 2, 2014, another video was released by ISIS, this one portraying the death of journalist Steven Sotloff. Sotloff, like Foley, was beheaded after being forced to read statements prepared by members of ISIS. Sotloff stated, "Obama, your foreign policy of intervention in Iraq was supposed to be for the preservation of American lives and interests, so why is that I am paying the price of your interference with my life. Am I not an American citizen? You’ve spent billions of U.S. taxpayers’ dollars and we’ve lost thousands of our troops in our previous fighting against the Islamic State, so where is the people’s interest in reigniting this war?"^[76]

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September 2, 2014

Vice President Joe Biden

President Obama issued a statement regarding Sotloff's death in captivity, confirming that the video was real, "Overnight, our government determined that tragically Steven [Sotloff] was taken from us in a horrific act of violence." He also explained, "It’s not only that we’re going to be bringing to justice those who perpetrated this terrible crime against these two fine young men, but more broadly the United States will continue to lead a regional and international effort against the barbaric and ultimately empty vision that ISIL represents and that’s going to take some time, but we’re going to get it done,” Obama said. “I’m very confident of it."^[77]

Vice President Joe Biden, speaking before a crowd at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard claimed the administration would track down ISIS, stating, "When people harm Americans, we don't retreat, we don't forget. We take care of those who are grieving, and when that's finished, they [ISIS] should know — we will follow them to the gates of hell, until they are brought to justice, because hell is where they will reside." He gave the speech at the same location he told a crowd that he would chase Osama bin Laden "to the gates of hell" during a vice presidential debate in 2012.^[78]

September 3, 2014

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) claimed ISIS needed to be the administration's top priority, explaining, "ISIS is growing in strength. It has money, it has organization, it has the capacity to inflict real damage. So when we think about a response we have to think about how to destroy that." She followed stating, "We need to be working now, full-speed ahead, with other countries, to destroy ISIS. That should be our No. 1 priority." When asked about the Americans who had joined ISIS, Warren said, "we're going to have to change in fundamental ways how we monitor our citizens when they go abroad."^[79]

September 4, 2014

Sen Rand Paul called for the U.S.-Mexico border problems be a top priority in order to prevent terrorists from coming into the United States in a Time op-ed. He wrote, "We must also secure our own borders and immigration policy from ISIS infiltration. Our border is porous, and the administration, rather than acting to protect it, instead ponders unconstitutional executive action, legalizing millions of illegal immigrants."^[80][81]

2012 Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) claimed he would not remove sending soldiers into Iraq or Syria from his list of options, explaining, "When you do a major military operation, you leave opportunities for all kinds of contingencies. It is clearly the intention of the United States that we are not going to put a land army in Syria, but to achieve an objective, you have to give yourself the flexibility to achieve that goal that you’re trying." He added, "What we find in Syria, we’ll have to deal with at the time. If the objective is to cut off the head of the snake, the ISIS snake in Syria, then that’s what we’re going to have to do."^[82]

September 7, 2014

Former Governor of Utah and presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) was highly critical of President Obama while on Fox News Sunday, claiming, "He is so out of touch with reality that he hasn't taken the kind of action necessary to prevent very bad things from happening." He went further, calling out the president's golfing while on vacation, suggesting, "I don't know if you can't see reality from the fairway."^[83]

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Sotloff family[edit]

The family of Sotloff claimed that information on his whereabouts when he snuck into Syria was sold to ISIS by rebel forces, for as much as $50,000, according to a source the family has "on the ground." A spokesperson for the family claimed, "Somebody at the border crossing made a phone call to ISIS, and they set up a fake checkpoint with many people. Steve and his people that he went in with could not escape."^[84] The administration denied any knowledge of a sale happening but noted the investigation was ongoing, suggesting, "Based on the information that has been provided to me, I don't believe that is accurate. But I do know, at the same time, that this is the subject of an ongoing FBI investigation. So this is something that they're looking into all aspects of this, including how Mr. Sotloff may have come into the hands of [ISIS]." The family was critical of the administration for its failure to secure Sotloff and other prisoners held by ISIS.^[85]

David Haines[edit]

September 14, 2014

The third beheading to be publicly released by ISIS was of British aid worker David Haines. Haines, 44, was captured in Syria while doing humanitarian work in March 2013. The video depicted the same captor as Sotloff and Foley, with a similar message, only this one directed toward the British government. The cloaked man claimed, "I would like to declare that I hold you, David Cameron, entirely responsible for my execution. You entered voluntarily into a coalition with the United States against the Islamic State. ... Unfortunately, it is we the British public that in the end will pay the price for our Parliament's selfish decisions." He further warned British Prime Minister David Cameron, "For being a lapdog, Cameron, you will drag your people into another bloody and unwinnable war." Cameron responded, expressing his sadness for the loss of Haines and stated, "We will do everything in our power to hunt down these murderers and ensure they face justice, no matter how long it takes."^[86]

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September 14, 2014

President Obama released a statement showing support for the British government, stating, "The United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder tonight with our close friend and ally in grief and resolve. We will work with the United Kingdom and a broad coalition of nations from the region and around the world to bring the perpetrators of this outrageous act to justice, and to degrade and destroy this threat to the people of our countries, the region and the world."^[87]

Obama outlines U.S. strategy[edit]

September 10, 2014

During a September 10, 2014 national address President Barack Obama outlined air strikes, including in Syria, an increased number of U.S. military advisers in Iraq, aid for Iraqi ground forces and continued humanitarian support to those displaced by ISIS in an attempt to "degrade, and ultimately destroy" the terrorist group. Obama stated that with the help of a "broad coalition" and assistance from the new Iraqi government, the United States would help eliminate the group. The national address came on the heels of much debate during the congressional recess on the proper way to deal with ISIS, another issue covered in the address, with Obama calling on Congress to grant the administration provisions to help Syrian opposition forces battle ISIS in Syria.^[25]

The president explained, "If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven," but he did insist that the U.S. would not be involved in another ground war in Iraq. He received support across the aisle from his plan due to what had been perceived by Republicans as a weak response to a strong terrorist network. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) stated, "The President's plan announced this evening is an encouraging step in the right direction."^[25] Meanwhile, Iraqi Christians, who had been heavily targeted by ISIS, were disappointed, claiming that the lack of ground forces and using only air strikes would not be enough to stop the group.^[88]

Secretary of State John Kerry was to meet with Middle East diplomats on September 11, 2014, in order to establish the coalition, though it was not believed to be an easy sell to those countries. Included in the countries visiting with Kerry in Saudi Arabia were Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Egypt.^[89]

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September 10, 2014

Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN)

Sen. Rand Paul commented on the president's claim that ISIS was not Islamic, stating, "Ultimately, civilized Islam will have to step up. We need to do everything we can to protect ourselves, I’m all in for saying we have to combat ISIS. So I think it is important not only for the American public but for the world and for the Islamic world to point out that this is not a true form of Islam, this is an abhorrent form." He continued, suggesting a better route for Obama to have gone would have been calling a joint session of Congress and asking for a vote. He stated, "It is unconstitutional what he’s doing."^[90]

September 11, 2014

Secretary of State Kerry, speaking about President Obama's plans to deal with ISIS, noted that the U.S. was not getting involved in a war, stating, "What we are doing is engaging in a very significant counterterrorism operation. It's going to go on for some period of time. If somebody wants to think about it as being a war with ISIL, they can do so, but the fact is it's a major counterterrorism operation that will have many different moving parts."^[91]

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL)

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), when asked his thoughts on the president's plan in dealing with ISIS, said, "We only have one commander in chief. He laid out his plan. I would never tell the enemy what I was willing to do, or unwilling to do. But he is the commander in chief, he made that decision. At this point in time, it’s important that we give the president what he’s asking for. And we gotta keep our eye on the ball. The issue here is about defeating a terrorist threat that is real and imminent." He did, however, continue insisting that even though the president said no boots would be on the ground, some troops would need to be sent in.^[92]

Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN) supported an alternative of the Obama administration's plan to battle ISIS, suggesting, "I encourage them to employ the same intelligence resources – and the same selective, highly effective means they used to bring down Osama Bin Laden. Special operations of this kind do not involve U.S. troops on the ground, the killing of innocent people, or the re-involvement of the United States in another terribly destructive, expensive, open-ended conflict in that region."^[93]

Sen. Bill Nelson spoke in support of the administration's plans, claiming, "The threat posed by Iraq grows with each passing day. And since Sept. 11, 2001, we cannot wait to protect ourselves against the threats of weapons of mass destruction, regimes hostile to the United States, and their links to terrorism." Nelson also voted in favor of invading Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S. On whether or not he believed a timetable was necessary for the military operation, Nelson stated, "I don’t think there’s any timetable on what the president can do to protect Americans. All you need to do is see the videos of the beheading, and then you’re not worried about mission creep."^[94]

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Coalition members[edit]

The Saudi Arabian government agreed on September 10, 2014, to host Syrian rebels in order to train and equip them for the fight against ISIS. President Obama asked Congress for $500 million to fund the training and equipment. A senior administration official stated, "We certainly are challenging members of Congress to put aside their partisan affiliations and give the president the authority he needs."^[95]

The administration chose retired Marine General John Allen to lead and coordinate the coalition forces fighting ISIS. He was previously the top American commander in Afghanistan, and he served in Iraq prior to that. When asked about ISIS in an August 2014 interview, Allen said, "What we’re facing in northern Iraq is only partly a crisis about Iraq,” he added. “It is about the region and potentially the world as we know it."^[96]

The administration announced on September 15, 2014, there would be no military coordination with Iran in regard to the coalition's plan to destroy ISIS. A State Department official explained, "I am not going to outline every diplomatic discussion. But we are not and will not coordinate militarily. We will be continuing those talks on the nuclear issue later this week in New York. There may be another opportunity on the margins in the future to discuss Iraq." Iranian Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke out against the coalition, stating, "American officials' comments on forming an anti-Islamic State (alliance) are blank, hollow and self-serving, and contradictions in their behaviours and statements attest to this fact."^[97]

Following is a list of coalition members and their contributions.

• Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott agreed on September 13, 2014, to provide aircraft and military advisers to the effort, but stated no ground forces would be provided.^[98]
• Iraqi President al-Abadi pledged to continue fighting ISIS as well as halt indiscriminate bombings of areas held by the group in an effort to regain the trust of sunni muslims who were previously alienated from the government.^[99]

ISIS cash flow cutoff[edit]

It was reported on September 13, 2014, that the administration was attempting to cut off the cash flow of ISIS by talking with the Turkish government. ISIS, one of the most well-funded terrorist groups in history, established a system of sending Iraqi oil across the border to Turkey where the oil is sold on the black market. Turkish government officials said they could not openly be involved with the fight against ISIS because the group held 49 Turkish diplomats hostage in Iraq. The government also turned down the opportunity to sign a resolution in Saudi Arabia condemning ISIS under the same pretext. A senior adviser for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) commented on the difficult situation posed by Turkey's lack of action, stating, "Turkey in many ways is a wild card in this coalition equation. It’s a great disappointment: There is a real danger that the effort to degrade and destroy ISIS is at risk. You have a major NATO ally, and it is not clear they are willing and able to cut off flows of funds, fighters and support to ISIS." The administration did not rule out bombing the oil shipments while they're en route to Turkey, noting that the shipments were tracked, but due to the sensitive nature of Turkey's situation, the Obama administration shied away from public criticisms.^[100]

Estimates on the amount of oil produced by Iraqi wells range from 25,000 to 40,000 barrels per day, which could bring as much as $2 million in return on the black market. In addition to the oil smuggling, ISIS imposed taxes on businesses in their territories of between 10 and 20 percent of their daily profits which was estimated to be worth as much as $1 million per day.^[100] A September 11, 2014 estimate by the Central Intelligence Agency placed between 20,000 and 31,500 members of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The numbers were higher than the previous estimate of 10,000, with the groups successes in the two countries helping recruitment.^[101]

Syrian rebel training funding[edit]

House Republicans announced a stopgap funding bill on September 15, 2014, delaying the need to pass a full federal budget until December 11, 2014. It would also provide funding for the training of Syrian rebel forces. The bill, produced by the Armed Services Committee, focuses heavily on the tracking of the number of trainees and weapons, how well the trainees do on the battlefield and whether the trainees have terrorist ties. Whether or not they have terrorist ties would not exclude a person from being trained, however, because it could make it more difficult to recruit trainees. It also laid out the type of equipment that would be provided to the rebels. An aide commented on the arms, stating that the U.S. was providing them for the purpose of being "effective on the ground but not equipping them to be a long-term threat to the U.S. and its allies."^[102]

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel would be required to provide 15 days notice prior to the start of the program and give Congress full reports every 90 days. Because the bill is a stopgap funding bill, the funding provided by it was set to end on either December 11, 2014, or when the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act was passed.^[102] White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest commented on the administration's push to get Congress to pass the bill, stating, "We’ve seen public statements from Democrats and Republicans in senior positions both in the House and the Senate indicate that they support giving the administration the necessary authority to ramp up our assistance to the Syrian opposition by training and equipping them. So we’re gratified by that show of bipartisan public support for this urgent priority."^[103]

Bill's passage[edit]

September 17-18, 2014

The Syria amendment to the stopgap continuing resolution was passed by the House on September 17, 2014, by a vote of 273-156 allowing the training and arming of Syrian rebels to fight against ISIS. While the majorities of both parties voted in support of the bill's passage, 85 Democrats and 71 Republicans voted against the measure.^[104][105] The bill reached the Senate on September 18, where it passed by a vote of 78-22. Below is the list of senators voting in opposition to the bill, like in the House, a bipartisan group.^[106]

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September 17, 2014

President Obama spoke at an Air Force base earlier in the day, promising those in attendance, "I will not commit you, and the rest of our Armed Forces, to fighting another ground war in Iraq."^[105]

House majority whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) was happy with the bipartisan effort to pass the bill, stating, "You saw Republicans and Democrats come together. The president asked for an authorization, and we approved that authorization with some accountability steps in place."^[105]

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) voted against the bill because she believed the president's plan would not be effective enough, arguing, "It seems to me we should take our best possible tool, which is the United States military, and with all resources at our fingertips, defeat the Islamic State as quickly as we possibly can."^[105]

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), a dissenting voter, argued that a debate on the extent of our involvement was going to me necessary, stating, "I think more and more members are beginning to understand that this is the beginning of what I think is going to be a very necessary and intense debate about what we should be doing there. I think it will be a lame-duck debate."^[105]

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) voted in opposition reasoning that the potential expanse of the conflict could be widespead, explaining, "I cannot support what could turn into a war on three fronts: fighting ISIS in Iraq, fighting ISIS in Syria and potentially [President Bashar] Assad in Syria."^[105]

September 18, 2014

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) voted against the measure due to it not receiving the proper attention and debate as part of the continuing resolution, stating, "I think it’s inexcusable that the debate of whether we get involved in another country’s civil war — that we would vote on this in a spending bill."^[107]

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) argued that the vote should not have been bundled with the continuing resolution, insisting, "This issue with what’s going on in Syria should be a separate issue, should be debated separately. I do not support the arming of rebels in Syria."^[107]

Syrian bombing strikes[edit]

September 23, 2014

The first air strikes on Syrian soil began September 23, 2014, in the Raqqa province, an ISIS stronghold. Defense Department officials announced that 14 strikes were made in the region by a coalition of Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. While ISIS forces in Raqqa were the main target of the initial strikes, a secondary target was an al-Qaeda linked group, Khorasan, which U.S. officials claimed were "a network of seasoned al-Qaida veterans" seeking to plot against Western interests.^[108] Prior to the air strikes, ISIS leaders urged retaliatory attacks against the United States, Australia and Europe.^[109]

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September 21, 2014

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair argued that the air strikes, on their own, would not be enough to stop ISIS' advances in the region. He wrote in an essay, "Air power is a major component of this, to be sure, especially with the new weapons available to us. But – and this is the hard truth – air power alone will not suffice. They can be hemmed in, harried and to a degree contained by air power. But they can't be defeated by it. ... We're not talking here about armies of occupation. We are, in certain situations where it is necessary and subject to all proper limitations, talking about committing ground forces, especially those with special capabilities."^[110]

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The same day the strikes began, Turkey offered its support to the coalition in providing logistical or military support. The country previously had its hands tied because ISIS held 46 political captives from the country, but the captives were freed September 20, 2014, allowing Turkey to assist the coalition. The action allowed the U.S. to make use of their air base in the country, near Syria. The Turkish president stated, "We will give the necessary support to the operation. The support could be military or logistics." Additionally, Turkey announced they would be attempting to help stop the funding of ISIS by tightening border security that previously allowed ISIS to trade oil on the black market on Turkish soil.^[111]

Khorasan threat[edit]

Conflicting reports about the "imminent" threat posed by the al-Qaeda-linked Khorasan terrorist group that was targeted on the first day of air strikes in Syria. Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes claimed that "actual plotting" was being conducted in Syria, while days later, Rear Admiral John Kirby said, "I don’t know that we can pin that down to a day or a week or a month or six months." Officials opting to remain anonymous said it wasn't known if the group had chosen targets. Mary Ellen O'Connell, an international law scholar questioned the legality of the targeting, suggesting, "The legal basis for attacking Khorasan in Syria is even more questionable, more in doubt than Isis." Democratic congressman Adam Schiff (CA), however, supported the action and defended it by suggesting the biggest threat to American security was not ISIS, who were engaged by coalition air strikes, but the more under-the-radar groups like Khorasan.^[112]

Refugee reaction to air strikes[edit]

Syrian refugees in Turkey had mixed emotions regarding the American bombing of ISIS targets, which are often near towns and can take civilian casualties. Some claimed that ISIS controlling the area was more peaceful than when the Free Syria Army were in control and argue that the bombings will take too many innocent lives, yet others feared ISIS' brutality and claimed the bombings would encourage more Syrians to flee the country to the safety of Turkey.^[113]

Oil field targets[edit]

In an effort to target ISIS funding, the coalition focused their strikes on Syrian oil fields that were under ISIS' control on September 25, 2014. Four oil installations and three oil fields were targeted by 13 strikes. While the Syrian oil infrastructure was targeted, Iraqi infrastructure had not been because the Iraqi government requested that it be preserved. The Syrian oil targets were located outside of the eastern town of Mayadeen, but most of the oil produced by Syria comes from western parts of the country.^[114]

Recent news[edit]

This section links to a Google news search for the term ISIS + Iraq + Syria

See also[edit]

Footnotes[edit]

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