Strikes Target ISIL Executioner, Other Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, November 13, 2015 — U.S. forces yesterday conducted an airstrike in Raqqa, Syria, targeting Mohamed Emwazi, also known as "Jihadi John," according to a statement issued by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook.

"Emwazi, a British citizen, participated in the videos showing the murders of U.S. journalists Steven Sotloff and James Foley, U.S. aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig, British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning, Japanese journalist Kenji Goto, and a number of other hostages,” Cook said in the statement.

"We are assessing the results of tonight's operation and will provide additional information as and where appropriate," Cook added.

Meanwhile, U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack other Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials said in a news release.

Officials reported details of yesterday’s strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Fighter, attack, and remotely piloted aircraft conducted eight strikes in Syria:

-- Near Hawl, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL mortar position.

-- Near Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Strikes in Iraq

Bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 18 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq’s government:

-- Near Albu Hayat, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Ramadi, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL tunnel, an ISIL building, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL mortar position, and an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Sinjar, 12 strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 27 ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL heavy machine guns, five ISIL vehicles, an ISIL vehicle-borne bomb and 11 ISIL staging areas and denied ISIL access to terrain.

-- Near Tal Afar, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL light machine gun, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL vehicle-borne bomb and an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL light machine gun and an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Mosul, one strike 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, 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 conducting strikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.