Pentagon Confirms Death of High-ranking al-Shabab Militant

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2014 – Pentagon officials confirmed today that a high-ranking member of the al-Shabab militant group in Somalia was killed in a Dec. 29 airstrike.

The unmanned U.S. aircraft strike near Saakow, Somalia, killed Tahlil Abdishakur, chief of al-Shabab’s intelligence and security wing, officials said in a statement.

Working from actionable intelligence, U.S. forces struck a vehicle carrying Tahlil with several Hellfire missiles, officials added.

Tahlil was responsible for al-Shabaab's external operations. “His death will significantly impact al-Shabaab's ability to conduct attacks against the government of the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Somali people, and U.S. allies and interests in the region," the Pentagon statement said.

Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 31, 2014 – U.S. and partner-nation military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq today, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

Airstrikes in Syria

Fighter and bomber aircraft conducted seven strikes in Syria:

-- Near Hasakah, two airstrikes destroyed four oil derricks.

-- Near Kobani, five airstrikes destroyed five ISIL buildings and six ISIL fighting positions.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted three airstrikes in Iraq:

-- Near Fallujah, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units.

-- Near Mosul, one airstrike struck an ISIL fighting position, destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

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, the region and the wider international community, officials said, noting that airdrop assessments are based on initial reports.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Inherent Resolve Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 30, 2014 – U.S. and partner-nation military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq today, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

In Syria, six fighter aircraft airstrikes near Kobani destroyed three ISIL buildings, damaged another ISIL building and struck an ISIL tactical unit. A fighter strike near Dayz ar Zawr destroyed an ISIL shipping container.

Eight airstrikes in Iraq used fighter, remotely piloted and attack aircraft:

-- Near Qaim, two airstrikes destroyed four ISIL excavators and two ISIL fighting positions.

-- Near Fallujah, three airstrikes destroyed four ISIL buildings and three ISIL tactical vehicles and struck an ISIL tactical unit and a large ISIL unit.

-- Near Ramadi, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Bayji, an airstrike struck two ISIL buildings.

-- Near Mosul, an airstrike destroyed two ISIL tactical vehicles and two ISIL checkpoints and struck an ISIL tactical unit.

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, the region and the wider international community, officials said, noting that airstrike assessments are based on initial reports.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.