PRESS RELEASE | July 16, 2015
July 16: Military Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria and Iraq
July 16, 2015

Release # 20150716

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA – On July 15, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 15 airstrikes using bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 16 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using bomber, attack, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

“Airstrikes continue to degrade Daesh tactical equipment and units to facilitate ISF operations in the vicinity of Ramadi,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR Chief of Public Affairs. “Coalition Forces are committed to supporting ISF in their fight against Daesh.”

The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

— Near Al Hasakah, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL tank and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and two ISIL fighting positions.

— Near Aleppo, two airstrikes destroyed four ISIL towed artillery pieces, three ISIL bunkers and an ISIL fighting position.

— Near Ar Raqqah, five airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, an ISIL structure and an ISIL checkpoint and destroyed an ISIL excavator and two ISIL vehicles.

— Near Ayn Isa, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL fighting position and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.

— Near Tal Abyad, two airstrikes struck two ISIL large tactical units and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL staging area.

Iraq

— Near Fallujah, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL weapons cache, an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL mortar system.

— Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL vehicle and destroyed two ISIL vehicles.

— Near Kirkuk, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.

— Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

— Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL heavy machine gun position and destroyed an ISIL bunker.

— Near Ramadi, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL IED, an ISIL vehicle and two ISIL armored personnel carriers.

— Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL command and control center and an ISIL building.

— Near Tal Afar, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, and two ISIL heavy machine guns and destroyed an ISIL building and an ISIL tunnel.

Airstrike assessments are based on initial reports. All aircraft returned to base safely.

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the group’s ability to project terror and conduct operations. Coalition nations which have conducted airstrikes in Iraq include Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States. Coalition nations which have conducted airstrikes in Syria include Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the U.S.