Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

SOUTHWEST ASIA, May 16, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces 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

Bomber and fighter aircraft conducted six airstrikes in Syria:

-- Near Hasakah, six airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL heavy machine gun.

Airstrikes in Iraq

“The coalition continues to strike [ISIL] terrorist targets in and around Ramadi, Iraq,” Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, CJTF-OIR chief of staff, said. “Our [Iraqi security forces] partners are fighting to retain this terrain, and we are resolved to support them with intelligence, planning assistance and airstrikes in this important effort.”

Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 15 airstrikes in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

-- Near Hawijah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL encampment, destroying an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Bayji, three airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL structures and two ISIL vehicles.

-- Near Mosul, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL buildings, two ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL heavy machine guns.

-- Near Ramadi, four airstrikes struck one large and three small ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL vehicles, three ISIL structures, two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle-borne improvised explosive device.

-- Near Sinjar, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL building and an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL buildings, an ISIL cache, an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL vehicle.

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, officials said.

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.