PRESS RELEASE | July 6, 2015
July 6: Military Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria and Iraq
July 6, 2015

Release # 20150706

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA – On July 5, Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight airstrikes using bomber, remotely piloted and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 11 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

“Coalition airstrikes continue to destroy Daesh vehicle-borne IEDs, the most recent near Kirkuk, Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Gilleran, CJTF-OIR spokesman. “Removing these weapons from the battlefield and the threat they pose to our ISF partners is a high priority for the coalition.”

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

Syria

— Near Al Hasakah, five airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units, destroying an ISIL tank, six ISIL vehicles, an ISIL building, an ISIL staging position and an ISIL fighting position.

— Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike struck and destroyed an ISIL armored personnel carrier.

— Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying four ISIL fighting positons and an ISIL mortar position.

Iraq

— Near Bayji, one airstrike struck and destroyed an ISIL excavator.

— Near Fallujah, three airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, destroying an ISIL bunker.

— Near Haditha, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL technical vehicle.

— Near Kirkuk, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit, destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL VBIED, an ISIL cache and striking an ISIL heavy machine gun.

— Near Makhmur, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL fighting position and ISIL cache and striking an ISIL fighting position.

— Near Ramadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL excavator and an ISIL vehicle.

— Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, and an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL building.

Separately, near Aleppo, Syria, coalition military forces conducted one airstrike against a network of veteran al Qa’ida operatives, sometimes called the “Khorasan Group,” who are known to plot external attacks against the United States and our allies. The airstrike struck a tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

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, Belgium, 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.