PRESS RELEASE | Oct. 17, 2015
Oct. 17: Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq
October 17, 2015

Release # 201510017-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA — On Oct. 16, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted two strikes using remotely piloted and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

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

Syria
• Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Mar’a, one strike destroyed an ISIL staging area.

Iraq
• Near Al Baghdadi, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed five ISIL buildings, three ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL mortar positions, two ISIL weapons caches, an ISIL tactical vehicle, an ISIL heavy machine gun, and an ISIL vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).
• Near Albu Hayat, one strike struck an ISIL staging area.
• Near Bayji, one strike destroyed an ISIL artillery piece.
• Near Kisik, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL staging area, two ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Mosul, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Ramadi, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and denied ISIL access to two separate terrain locations.
• Near Sinjar, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles, seven ISIL fighting positions, 14 ISIL assembly areas, two ISIL supply caches, and an ISIL command and control node.
• Near Tal Afar, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Waleed, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and wounded three ISIL fighters.

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