Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, March 28, 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 four airstrikes near Kobani, which struck two ISIL tactical units, destroyed two anti-aircraft artillery machine guns, three ISIL vehicles, one excavator, and damaged one ISIL fighting position.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 18 airstrikes against ISIL terrorists in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

-- Near Tikrit, eight airstrikes struck two large ISIL units and one ISIL tactical unit, destroyed one ISIL vehicle, one ISIL vehicle-borne explosive device, and destroyed 11 fighting positions and damaged one fighting position.

-- Near Fallujah, three airstrikes struck one ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two anti-aircraft artillery guns and an ISIL vehicle.

-- Near Mosul, three airstrikes destroyed two IED construction/facilitation buildings, one other building, an armored vehicle, and one fighting position.

-- Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes destroyed one machine gun, one building and one excavator.

-- Near Ar Rutbah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit; and

-- Near Bayji, one airstrike struck one ISIL tactical unit.

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

Airstrikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, March 29, 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

Fighter aircraft conducted an airstrike near Kobani, Syria, which struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 14 airstrikes against ISIL terrorists in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

-- Near Bayji, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

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

-- Near Mosul, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL building.

-- Near Tal Afar, three airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, an ISIL storage facility, an ISIL fighting position and destroyed an ISIL building and an ISIL heavy machine gun; and

-- Near Tikrit, six airstrikes struck six ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery weapon.

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, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Coalition Airstrikes Enable Renewal of Tikrit Ground Offensive

By Claudette Roulo

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2015 – Several thousand regular Iraqi security forces and troops from the Popular Mobilization Forces have resumed their offensive operations on the ground in Tikrit, Iraq, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said today.

Some Shiite militia units have withdrawn from the battlefield, Warren added.

"These are primarily the Shia militia units that we had no interest in being on the battlefield in the first place,” he said. “These are the Shia militia that are clearly linked or often infiltrated by Iran, so their departure from the battlefield is welcome."

The withdrawal of militia groups with links to Iran was a precondition of U.S. air support for the effort to retake Tikrit from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists, who have held the city since June, Warren said.

Zero Tolerance for Sectarian Improprieties

"The Iraqis had a decision to make," he said. “They were able to observe firsthand exactly what Iran brought to the table as they conducted operations in and around Tikrit. They have also been able to observe firsthand what the coalition brings to the table, based on operations throughout the rest of the Iraq. The Iraqis obviously have made a decision."

The forces that remain on the battlefield are loyal to the government of Iraq and under the direct control of Iraq's Ministry of Defense, the colonel said.

"Prime Minister [Haider] al-Abadi has made it very clear to them that ... there is a zero-tolerance policy for any sectarian improprieties," he said.

U.S., coalition and Iraqi airstrikes against ISIL targets continue in the region, Warren said, noting that the effectiveness of the air campaign has been clearly demonstrated by the fact that the ground offensive in Tikrit has resumed. The colonel cautioned against attempting to guess at a timeline for offensive operations inside the city.

"Urban warfare is difficult. It is rough, hot, bloody, tiring, exhaustive work, and so no one should expect this to be an overnight thing," he said. "This is a hard fight that the Iraqis are going to have to go through and it will be difficult."