PRESS RELEASE | Aug. 18, 2015
Aug. 18: Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq
August 18, 2015

Release # 20150818
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA – On Aug. 17, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted three airstrikes using bomber and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 17 airstrikes coordinated with the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter and fighter-attack aircraft against ISIL targets.

“Coalition trained Iraqi security forces are in the middle of a deliberate counterattack against Daesh terrorists in Ramadi,” said Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, chief of staff, CJTF-OIR. “It’s a tough fight with ISF encountering many obstacles and IEDs, but 16 airstrikes in the past few days have eliminated numerous Daesh positions, no doubt paving the way for ISF advances.”

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

Syria

* Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL berm and an ISIL fighting position.
* Near Kobani, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL motorcycle.

Iraq

* Near Ar Rutbah, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL checkpoint and destroyed an ISIL bulldozer and an ISIL excavator.
* Near Bayji, two airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL artillery piece, an ISIL building and two ISIL vehicles.
* Near Haditha, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar system and an ISIL fighting position.
* Near Makhmur, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL staging area and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL light machine gun.
* Near Mosul, one airstrike struck an ISIL tank and destroyed an ISIL trailer.
* Near Ramadi, two airstrikes struck two ISIL large tactical units and destroyed six ISIL buildings, two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL recoilless rifle.
* Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL light machine gun.
* Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL artillery piece, an ISIL building, an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL weapons cache.
* Near Tuz, one airstrike destroyed 21 ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL tunnel system.

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.