Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria and Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 28, 2015 – U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria, using bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct 13 airstrikes, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Separately, U.S. and coalition military forces conducted six airstrikes in Iraq, using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists, officials reported.

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

-- Near Kobani, 13 airstrikes struck 12 ISIL tactical units and an ISIL vehicle, and destroyed nine ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL staging area, and three ISIL buildings.

Airstrikes in Iraq

-- Near Al Asad, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL buildings.

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

-- Near Mosul, two airstrikes destroyed an ISIL checkpoint, six ISIL shipping containers, and four ISIL fighting positions.

-- Near Sinjar, an airstrike struck a large ISIL unit and destroyed six ISIL buildings and an ISIL heavy weapon.

-- Near Tal Afar, an airstrike struck a large ISIL unit and destroyed four ISIL vehicles.

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

Competent, Willing Partnerships Result in Gains Against ISIL

By Claudette Roulo

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2015 – The success of Kurdish forces battling Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani is an example of what can be done with a reliable, willing and capable partner, the Pentagon press secretary said today.

A number of factors led up to yesterday’s announcement by U.S. Central Command that anti-ISIL forces now control about 90 percent of the embattled town, Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters.

“I think the airstrikes helped a lot. It helped when we had … a reliable partner on the ground in there who could help us fine-tune those strikes. That was certainly an important moment,” the press secretary said.

“It was an important moment when the Turkish government allowed resupply through Turkey to Kurdish forces inside -- resupply and actually additional resources in terms of manpower into Kobani. I think that was an important moment,” he said.

That said, the fight to retake Kobani isn’t over, the admiral said, and terrorist forces are still intent on taking the town.

The battle for Kobani shouldn’t be considered a template for future fights against ISIL, Kirby said. When Iraqi security forces move to retake Mosul, it may or may not result in a protracted battle, he said.

“I don't think there's any underestimation of how hard this is going to be. How fast it's going to go is going to depend on a whole range of factors. And oh, by the way, the enemy gets a vote here,” the admiral said.

“Every situation is going to be different, and Kobani's not Mosul, by any stretch, in terms of the scale, the size and the complexity of what that mission's going to be like,” the press secretary said.

Mosul is key terrain, Kirby noted, adding, “Eventually there’s going to have to be a fight for Mosul.”

“Obviously we're working closely with the Iraqi security forces on helping them better understand the challenges with respect to any kind of campaign in Mosul and making sure this is part of the train-advise-and-assist mission, to making sure that they are as battlefield competent as possible,” he said.

Coalition Continues Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 26, 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 remotely piloted aircraft conducted 21 airstrikes in Syria:

-- Near Qaim, an airstrike destroyed three ISIL armored vehicles.

-- Near Raqqah, two airstrikes destroyed six ISIL armored vehicles and an ISIL vehicle.

-- Near Dayr az Zawr, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle.

-- Near Kobani, 17 airstrikes struck 14 ISIL tactical units, a large ISIL unit and two ISIL fighting positions and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL staging area.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 13 airstrikes in Iraq:

-- Near Fallujah, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL excavator.

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

-- Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL bunkers, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL armored vehicle.

-- Near Tal Afar, seven airstrikes struck a large ISIL unit and destroyed three ISIL mortar firing positions, three ISIL vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, eight ISIL armored vehicles, an ISIL checkpoint, 15 ISIL vehicles and three ISIL fighting positions.

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, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.