PRESS RELEASE | Feb. 12, 2017
February 12: Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq
CJTFOIR

February 12, 2017
Release # 20170212-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA — On Feb. 11, Coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes consisting of 47 engagements against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

Syria
In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes consisting of 19 engagements using attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

* Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed nine oil tanker trucks and an oil wellhead.

* Near Al Bab, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a heavy machine gun.

* Near Ar Raqqah seven strikes destroyed two oil stills, two tunnels, a tunnel system, an anti-air artillery system, an ISIL-held building and a bridge.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes destroyed eight oil tanker trucks, an oil wellhead and an oil still.

Iraq
The Iraqi Security Forces are leading the Coalition’s fight to rid Iraq of ISIL. They are willing to take the brunt of the fighting to liberate their country and do not seek or desire the Coalition’s participation in direct ground combat operations. The Government of Iraq welcomes the Coalition because we are assisting them with our unique capabilities, at their request.

Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of 28 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter remotely piloted and rotary aircraft; as well as artillery against ISIL targets.

* Near Irbil, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed an ISIL-held building and a weapons cache.

* Near Mosul, five strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed 13 watercraft, three mortar systems, two front-end loaders, two supply caches, two ISIL-held buildings, two pieces of engineering equipment, and a tank; damaged three supply routes; and suppressed two mortar teams.

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 engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative effect for that location.

For example, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of ISIL-held buildings and weapon systems in a compound, having the cumulative effect of making that facility 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. The information used to compile the daily strike releases is based on ‘Z’ or Greenwich Mean Time.

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.