Operation Inherent Resolve Lead Inspector General Quarterly Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE LEAD INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS JANUARY 1, 2020‒MARCH 31, 2020 ABOUT THIS REPORT A 2013 amendment to the Inspector General Act established the Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) framework for oversight of overseas contingency operations. This legislation requires the Inspectors General of the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of State (DoS), and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide quarterly reports to Congress on active overseas contingency operations. The Chair of the Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) designated the DoD Inspector General (IG) as the Lead IG for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). The DoS IG is the Associate IG. The USAID IG participates in oversight of the operation. The Offices of Inspector General of the DoD, DoS, and USAID are referred to in this report as the Lead IG agencies. Other partner agencies also contribute to oversight of OIR. The Lead IG agencies collectively carry out their statutory missions to: • Develop a joint strategic plan to conduct comprehensive oversight of the operation. • Ensure independent and effective oversight of programs and operations of the Federal Government in support of the operation through either joint or individual audits, inspections, and evaluations. • Report quarterly to Congress and the public on the operation and activities of the Lead IG agencies. METHODOLOGY To produce this quarterly report, the Lead IG agencies submit requests for information to the DoD, DoS, and USAID about OIR and related programs. The Lead IG agencies also gather data and information from open sources, including congressional testimony, policy research organizations, press conferences, think tanks, and media reports. The sources of information contained in this report are listed in endnotes or notes to tables and figures. Except in the case of formal audits, inspections, or evaluations referenced in this report, the Lead IG agencies have not verified or audited the data and information provided by the agencies. For further details on the methodology for this report, see Appendix B. CLASSIFIED APPENDIX This report normally includes an appendix containing classified information about the U.S. mission to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Due to the coronavirus disease–2019 pandemic, the Lead IG agencies did not prepare a classified appendix this quarter. On the Cover (Top row): A member of the Maghaweir al Thawra partner force fires a machine gun at a range at the Tanf Garrison, Syria. (U.S. Army photo); U.S. Marine Corps and Iraqi officers sign transfer documents on the Taqaddum base, Iraq (U.S. Marine Corps photo); a Syrian woman carries winter supplies that were distributed by Coalition forces and the local civil council (U.S. Army photo). (Bottom row): U.S. Soldiers load onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter as they leave Al Qaim Base, Iraq (U.S. Army photo). FOREWORD We are pleased to submit this Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) quarterly report to the U.S. Congress on Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). This report discharges our individual and collective agency oversight responsibilities pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978. The United States launched OIR in 2014 to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and to set the conditions for follow-on operations to increase regional stability. The strategy to defeat ISIS includes military operations, as well as support for local security forces, diplomacy, governance, humanitarian assistance, and stabilization programs. This quarterly report describes the activities of the U.S. Government in support of OIR, as well as the work of the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development to promote the U.S. Government’s policy goals in Iraq and Syria, during the period January 1, 2020, through March 31, 2020. This report also discusses the planned, ongoing, and completed oversight work conducted by the Lead IG agencies and our partner oversight agencies during the quarter. During the quarter, the Lead IG agencies and our oversight partners issued 13 audit, evaluation, and inspection reports related to OIR. This report usually includes an appendix containing classified information about OIR. This quarter, due to the coronavirus disease–2019 pandemic and related workforce protection requirements, the Lead IG agencies did not produce the classified appendix. Working in close collaboration, we remain committed to providing comprehensive oversight and timely reporting on Operation Inherent Resolve. Sean W. O’Donnell Steve A. Linick Ann Calvaresi Barr Acting Inspector General Inspector General Inspector General U.S. Department of Defense U.S. Department of State U.S. Agency for International Development MESSAGE FROM THE LEAD INSPECTOR GENERAL I am pleased to present this Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) quarterly report on the status of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). This quarter, the Coalition began consolidating forces to fewer bases in Iraq, which the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) stated was part of a long-term plan. This base transfer occurred amid force protection concerns sparked by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran and its proxy militias, which CJTF-OIR said led to an acceleration of the long-term transfer plan. In addition, the coronavirus disease–2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly reduced training operations this quarter. Iraqi Security Forces paused training activities and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) paused operations against ISIS in response to the pandemic. With the consolidation of forces in both Iraq and Syria since October 2019, the DoD OIG has observed a decrease in visibility for the OIR mission. Sean W. O’Donnell CJTF-OIR in Syria reported this quarter that it has less visibility of some ISIS detention centers, as well as the training and development of SDF and local forces. CJTF-OIR reported a similar reduction in visibility of some ISF operations. CJTF-OIR reported that ISIS continued to wage a “low-level insurgency” in both Iraq and Syria this quarter, but remains unable to hold territory and continues to rely on small-arms attacks. In Iraq, these attacks were concentrated in mountainous and desert provinces north and west of Baghdad, particularly within an area of northern Iraq claimed by both the central government and the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government. In Syria, the majority of attacks occurred in Dayr az Zawr, Hasakah, and Raqqah provinces. Iraq’s political process remained stalled throughout the quarter, as two different nominees for prime minister were unable secure enough support from parliament to form a new government. However, as this report was going to print, a third nominee successfully formed Iraq’s first government since November 2019. The Iraqi government continued to face popular protests that subsided in March due to fears of COVID-19 and militia violence. In addition, plummeting oil prices strained the government’s budget. The DoS reported that without an increase in revenue, the government is unlikely to be able to fund its ministries after April. In Syria, CJTF-OIR reported that the OIR mission and U.S. and Coalition partner national security face “significant risk” from ISIS prisoners and supporters residing in camps for internally displaced persons. It said that the SDF faces continued difficulty guarding detention facilities and ISIS-affiliated camp residents continue to facilitate ISIS activities. CJTF-OIR and governmental and multi-national partners developed a coordinating group to address security matters in the camps and prisons; however, challenges continue for these entities to provide aid to camp residents, ensure security, and prevent the spread of ISIS ideology in the camps. In addition to restrictions caused by COVID-19, humanitarian relief agencies operating in Iraq faced additional obstacles this quarter after provincial governments instituted new requirements for work access authorization renewals. Hundreds of relief missions were canceled or supplies could not reach their destinations. USAID reported that it continues to fund 240 stabilization projects in northeastern Syria, focused mainly on economic growth and food security, but funding for these projects remains uncertain. With my appointment as Acting IG on April 6, 2020, I look forward to working with my Lead IG colleagues to continue to report and provide oversight on OIR and related U.S. Government activity, as required by the IG Act, and in light of the limitations imposed by COVID-19. Sean W. O’Donnell Acting Inspector General U.S. Department of Defense U.S. Soldiers load onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter as they leave Al Qaim Base, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo) CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................2 THE QUARTER IN REVIEW .............................11 Major Developments ............................................ 12 Events in Iraq ........................................................ 22 Status of ISIS in Iraq ......................................... 22 Actions Against ISIS in Iraq .............................. 26 Partner Force Development ........................... 29 Role of Third Parties in Iraq ............................. 34 Diplomacy and Political Developments .......... 37 Stabilization ..................................................... 42 Humanitarian Assistance ................................ 44 Events in Syria .....................................................