Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, April 21, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Syria

Attack, fighter and bomber aircraft conducted six airstrikes in Syria:

-- Near Hasakah, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL checkpoint, destroying four ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL vehicles.

-- Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL vehicle and two ISIL fighting positions.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Fighter, attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 22 airstrikes in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. These strikes are a result of Iraqi security and Kurdish forces conducting simultaneous offensive operations:

-- Near Asad, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL building and an ISIL excavator.

-- Near Huwayjah, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL mortar system.

-- Near Beiji, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL anti-aircraft artillery weapons, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Fallujah, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying an ISIL vehicle bomb, an ISIL fighting position, and an ISIL roadside bomb.

-- Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck an ISIL staging area, an ISIL bomb factory and multiple ISIL fighting positions.

-- Near Ramadi, three airstrikes struck an ISIL large and small tactical unit, destroying three ISIL fighting positions.

-- Near Sinjar, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL buildings.

-- Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL buildings and an ISIL recoilless rifle.

All aircraft returned to base safely.

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, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations.

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