The Western Iraq campaign in 2017 (26 October – 9 December 2017) refers to a series of military operations conducted by the Iraqi security forces, supported by international coalition forces, against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the western regions of Iraq. The Western Iraq campaign was the final major military operation of the 2013–2017 war in Iraq, in the western province of Anbar, and on the border with Syria, with the goal of completely expelling ISIL forces from their last strongholds in Iraq.

Prior to 2017, ISIS had gained significant territorial control in Iraq, including the cities of Mosul, Fallujah, and Ramadi. The Western Iraq campaign was part of a broader effort to reclaim these territories and eliminate the ISIS presence in the country.

The offensive followed the Hawija offensive by the Iraqi Government, and was also concurrent with several major offensives in Syria: the Syrian Democratic Forces’ Deir ez-Zor offensive, and the Syrian Government’s Battle of Deir ez-Zor and Eastern Syria campaign on the opposite side of the Al-Qa’im border crossing.

The campaign officially began in early 2017 with the launch of Operation “We Are Coming, Nineveh” (also known as the Mosul offensive) in October 2016, which aimed to retake Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq and a major stronghold for ISIS. The operation to liberate Mosul was carried out primarily by Iraqi security forces, with the support of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and air support from the international coalition, led by the United States.

As the Mosul offensive unfolded, efforts were also made to regain control over other areas in western Iraq. The Anbar province, which shares a border with Syria and has strategic importance, became a major focus of the campaign. The primary objectives were to retake the city of Ramadi and clear ISIS militants from the surrounding areas.

The Iraqi security forces, along with tribal militias and support from coalition airstrikes, launched multiple offensives in the Anbar province during 2017. These operations aimed to regain control over cities such as Ramadi, Hit, Rutbah, and the key border town of Al-Qaim. The Iraqi forces faced significant resistance from ISIS militants, who had entrenched themselves within urban areas and employed tactics like suicide bombings and booby traps.

Over the course of the campaign, the Iraqi security forces made significant progress. Ramadi was retaken in February 2016, and other areas, including Hit and Rutbah, were also liberated. The city of Mosul was fully recaptured in July 2017, marking a major turning point in the fight against ISIS in Iraq.

The Western Iraq campaign demonstrated the effectiveness of the Iraqi security forces, backed by international coalition support, in pushing back and defeating ISIS in the country. The operations resulted in the liberation of key cities, the weakening of ISIS’s territorial control, and the gradual restoration of stability in the region.

However, it’s important to note that while the military campaign was successful in regaining control over most areas, the threat of terrorism and the presence of ISIS elements persisted in some parts of Iraq. Efforts to stabilize and rebuild the affected regions continue to this day, focusing on infrastructure reconstruction, the return of displaced civilians, and the establishment of effective governance and security structures.