PRESS RELEASE | Aug. 20, 2015
Aug. 20: Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq
August 20, 2015
Release # 20150820
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST ASIA – On Aug. 19, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight airstrikes using bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 21 airstrikes coordinated with the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter and fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.
“Coalition airstrikes decimated Daesh fighters last night in the vicinity of the Bayji oil refinery,” said Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, chief of staff, CJTF-OIR. “A combination of ISF ground maneuver and coalition air support continues to cut down Daesh’s attempts at reinforcing this heated fight.”
The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:
Syria
* Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL communications repeater and an ISIL staging area.
* Near Aleppo, four airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.
* Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL fighting position.
Iraq
* Near Ar Rutbah, three airstrikes struck two ISIL staging areas and an ISIL VBIED facility.
* Near Bayji, two airstrikes struck two ISIL large tactical units and two ISIL buildings and destroyed 22 ISIL buildings and nine ISIL vehicles.
* Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck one ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL checkpoints.
* Near Mosul, five airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL bunker, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL tunnel entrance.
* Near Ramadi, two airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL buildings and an ISIL armored personnel carrier.
* Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun.
* Near Tuz, seven airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL vehicles, two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL rocket rails, an ISIL staging area, an ISIL vehicle storage area an ISIL VBIED.
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.