PRESS RELEASE | Aug. 25, 2016
August 25: Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq
CJTF-OIR

Southwest Asia – August 25, 2016

Release # 20160825-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA – On Aug. 24, coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 13 strikes using bomber, attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted one strike coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using fighter aircraft against ISIL targets.

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

Syria

* Near Al Shadaddi, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, and destroyed a fighting position, a tactical vehicle, and a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device.
* Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck two ISIL pump jacks.
* Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes struck three ISIL wellheads.
* Near Manbij, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units, destroyed a fighting position, a vehicle, a command and control node, three mortar systems and damaged a mortar system.

Iraq

* Near Ramadi, one strike destroyed four rocket systems and four rocket rails.

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

A strike, as defined in the CJTF releases, means one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative effect for that location. So having a single aircraft deliver a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of buildings and vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making that facility (or facilities) harder or impossible to use. Accordingly, CJTF-OIR does not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target.

Ground-based artillery fired in counter-fire or in fire support to maneuver roles are not classified as a strike as defined by CJTF-OIR.

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 strikes in Iraq include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Coalition nations which have conducted strikes in Syria include Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.