Airstrikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, May 3, 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. May 1 and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Syria

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 18 airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Kobani, eight airstrikes struck one large and seven smaller ISIL units, destroying seven ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL vehicles.

• Near Raqqah, seven airstrikes struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage.

• Near Hasakah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL fighting positions.

• Near Dair Az Zawr, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL excavator.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 23 airstrikes in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

• Near Asad, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL excavator.

• Near Ar Rutbah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

• Near Beiji, six airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL mortar tube, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Fallujah, four airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Mosul, three airstrikes struck a large ISIL unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL defensive position, two buildings, two excavators and five fighting positions.

• Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck one large and one small ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL buildings, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Tal Afar, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL excavators and an ISIL mortar system.

• Near Ramadi, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying an ISIL supply cache and an ISIL fighting position.

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.