Military reports – April 2016

Monthly summary: Below are all known daily Coalition military reports relating to the air war against Islamic State/ Daesh in Iraq and Syria for April 2016. We have also included relevant video and photo releases, as well as indicating where any known alleged civilian or ‘friendly fire’ casualties have been reported.

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 1, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted six strikes using attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Al Hawl, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Mar’a, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 10 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL bunkers, an ISIL mortar position, and an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).

Iraq

*       Near Al Qaim, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Habbaniyah, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL weapons cache.
*       Near Haditha, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Hit, two strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL VBIED, two ISIL fuel tankers, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL-used bridge, an ISIL barge, eight ISIL boats, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Kirkuk, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL command and control node, four ISIL assembly areas, and an ISIL supply cache.
*       Near Qayyarah, seven strikes [1 French] struck three separate ISIL tactical units and an ISIL weapons cache and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL command and control node, two ISIL vehicles, and an ISIL-used unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
*       Near Ramadi, one strike destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery piece.
*       Near Sinjar, two strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and suppressed an ISIL mortar firing position.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed six ISIL rocket rails and an ISIL supply cache.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA14s5QzRxI

Update from UK MoD for Friday 1 April:

‘Friday 1 April – Typhoons bombed a Daesh vehicles and a bunker in western Iraq, while Tornados destroyed three terrorist positions in the north of the country…Typhoons were also active over western Iraq on Friday 1 April. A Daesh truck armed with an anti-aircraft gun was successfully bombed north-east of Ramadi and Paveways were used to destroy a fuel tanker converted into a truck bomb near Hit and a bunker west of Fallujah where terrorists had been spotted. In northern Iraq, a Tornado patrol employed Paveway IVs to destroy three Daesh buildings in the Mosul and Sinjar areas.’

Update from French MoD for 1 April:
[April 1, a patrol of four Mirage 2000D conducted a strike in Qayyarah area for the destruction of an ammunition storage site and improvised explosive devices’.]

‘1 frappe planifiée a été conduite en Irak

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/716717073720807425

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 2, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted four strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Manbij, two strikes destroyed an ISIL rocket rail system and two ISIL fighting positions.
*       Near Mar’a, two strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).

Iraq

*       Near Fallujah, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Haditha, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun.
*       Near Hit, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL used-bridge, an ISIL VBIED factory, 22 ISIL boats, and an ISIL bed down location and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Kirkuk, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL VBIED, and an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Mosul, six strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL machine gun, and two ISIL vehicles.
*       Near Qayyarah, six strikes [2 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL weapons storage facility and destroyed four ISIL mortar firing positions, an ISIL supply cache, an ISIL VBIED production facility, and 13 ISIL staging areas.
*       Near Rawah, one strike destroyed an ISIL tactical vehicle.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL assembly areas and an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL mortar system.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwrpyUYeDHc

Update from UK MoD for Saturday 2 April:

‘Saturday 2 April – Tornados conducted a major attack on a large weapons storage and manufacturing facility in northern Iraq, while a Reaper eliminated a mobile mortar team…Coalition surveillance operations had identified Daesh extremists using a former Iraqi military ammunition depot near Qayyarah in northern Iraq. This intelligence indicated that the terrorists were manufacturing improvised explosive devices and other weaponry on the site. As part of a large coalition air strike on terrorist facilities in the area, four RAF Tornado GR4s were tasked with attacking 16 of these storage bunkers on Saturday 2 April. Each aircraft dropped a salvo of four Paveways, and initial indications are that the strike was highly accurate and effective. An RAF Reaper was also active in the Qayyarah area, hunting a Daesh mortar team. The aircraft’s crew were able successfully to locate the team, operating a truck-mounted mortar, concealed under trees on the western bank of the Tigris, and secured a direct hit with a Hellfire missile.’

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/716622565427556352

April 3rd-4th 2016
Iraq 10 strikes (7,640-7,649)
Syria 14 strikes (3,705-3,718)
Confirmed actions: US
8 civilians, including 4 children and 1 woman, alleged killed at Hit, Anbar province, Iraq

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 3, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Al Hasakah, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).
*       Near Al Hawl, six strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery piece, three ISIL vehicles, and two ISIL tactical vehicles, and four ISIL fighting positions.
*       Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL workover rig, an ISIL front-end loader, and four ISIL pump jacks.
*       Dayr Az Zawr, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL VBIEDs.
*       Near Idlib, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL buildings.
*       Near Manbij, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Mar’a, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Iraq

*       Near Al Baghdadi, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Hit, three strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL VBIED, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL recoilless rifle, and an ISIL staging area and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Kirkuk, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
*       Near Kisik, one strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Mosul, two strikes destroyed an ISIL supply cache, an ISIL command and control node, and an ISIL tactical vehicle and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Qayyarah, one strike destroyed an ISIL weapons storage facility and an ISIL staging facility.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL supply cache.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS6p8QOcVX8

Update from Dutch MoD for 29 March – 3 April:
[Reports ‘several mission’ using precision weapons against Daesh fighters, firing positions, headquarters and ammunition sites south of Mosul. During one of the missions gave support to Iraqi ground forces during an attack by Daesh – “thanks to decisive action the ISIS attack was repulsed.”]

‘Het F-16-detachementvloog dagelijks missies boven Irak en Oost-Syrië ter ondersteuning van Operation Inherent Resolve. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 29 maart tot 3 april 2016.

Midden-Oosten

Het luchtmachtdetachement in het Midden-Oosten zette tijdens verschillende missies precisie wapens in tegen ISIS strijders, vuurposities, hoofdkwartieren en munitieopslaglocaties in onder meer de provincie zuid-Mosul. Tijdens een van de missies ondersteunden de vliegers Iraakse grondtroepen tijdens een aanval door ISIS in een fel man-tegen-mangevecht. Dankzij kordaat optreden werd de ISIS-aanval afgeslagen.’

De operaties van de coalitie dragen bij aan de inspanningen van de Iraakse strijdkrachten om Mosul te bevrijden. Sinds de start van de campagne voerde de coalitie onder leiding van de Verenigde Staten meer dan 1200 luchtaanvallen uit op ISIS-strijders en hun posities rondom Mosul. Deze aanvallen hebben een steeds groter effect op de slagkracht van ISIS. Meer informatie over de inzet van de coalitie als geheel, vindt u op de site van US Central Command.’

https://twitter.com/EtatMajorFR/status/728196316250005507

Since 1 January, the French have carried out 1,106 flights across Iraq and Syria, 251 strikes against Daesh and have destroyed 419 targets.

Update from French MoD for 3 April:
[‘April 3, 2016, for the first time, Atlantic 2 (ATL2), equipped with its Wescam camera, performed a laser illumination of a target to allow a coalition plane to hit a terrorist armed group (GAT ). During this action, which took place in the Hit area, Iraq, ATL 2 has contributed to the destruction of a group of fighters who opposed the Iraqi forces. This process has previously never been used by the ATL 2 in operation, and it adds a new string to his bow.’]

‘Chammal : L’Atlantique 2 permet la destruction d’un groupe terroriste en Irak

Le 3 avril 2016, pour la première fois, l’Atlantique 2 (ATL2), équipé de sa caméra Wescam, a effectué une illumination laser d’une cible pour permettre à un avion de la coalition de la frapper un groupe armé terroriste (GAT). Au cours de cette action qui s’est déroulée dans la région de Hit, en Irak, l’ATL 2 a contribué à la destruction d’un groupe de combattants qui s’opposait aux forces irakiennes. Ce procédé n’ayant auparavant jamais été utilisé par l’ATL 2 en opération, celui-ci ajoute ainsi une nouvelle corde à son arc.

Alors qu’il réalisait un vol de reconnaissance au-dessus de Hit, l’équipage de l’avion a repéré un groupe de combattant de Daech qui s’opposait aux forces irakiennes, progressant vers l’Euphrate. Evoluant rapidement, les terroristes cherchent systématiquement à se cacher des observations aériennes.

L’observateur embarqué dans l’ATL2 (Forward Air Controller-Airborn, FAC-A) a transmis les renseignements au contrôleur aérien avancé (Joint Terminal Attack Controller, JTAC). Des chasseurs de la coalition en patrouille ont pris en compte cette information et se sont rapprochés de la zone.

Un dialogue s’est alors établi entre l’ATL2 et le JTAC pour suivre la progression masquée des terroristes. Arrivés en bordure de l’Euphrate, les combattants se sont regroupés à couvert, de sorte que seul l’ATL2 pouvait parvenir à les suivre de visu. Les conditions favorables étant réunies et répondant à l’ordre du JTAC, l’ATL2 a conduit une désignation laser des cibles pour permettre à la frappe d’un chasseur allié d’être guidée sur l’objectif.

Lancée depuis le 19 septembre 2014, l’opération Chammal mobilise 1000 militaires. Elle vise, à la demande du gouvernement irakien et en coordination avec les alliés de la France présents dans la région, à assurer un soutien aérien en Irak et en Syrie dans la lutte contre le groupe terroriste Daech, en frappant l’organisation terroriste avec ses moyens aériens. Le dispositif complet est actuellement structuré autour de quatorze avions de chasse de l’armée de l’Air (six Rafale, huit Mirage 2000D) d’un avion de patrouille maritime Atlantique2 ainsi  que de capacités de renseignement, de commandement, de contrôle (C2) et de ravitaillement. Il comprend également des militaires projetés à Bagdad pour la formation et le conseil des militaires irakiens.’

France’s Operation Chammal

April 4th-5th 2016
Iraq 19 strikes (7,650-7,668)
Syria 6 strikes (3,719-3,724)
Confirmed actions: US, UK
1 civilian alleged killed at Kinan Sultan, Hassakah governorate, Syria

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 4, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted six strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Ar Raqqah, one strike disabled two ISIL pump jacks.
*       Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Manbij, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL rocket systems, and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
*       Near Mar’a, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units.

Iraq

*       Near Al Baghdadi, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL front end loader, seven ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED), an ISIL mortar position, and suppressed two ISIL rocket positions.
*       Near Al Huwayjah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Fallujah, one strike [1 British] struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and five ISIL defensive fighting positions.
*       Near Hit, two strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL supply cache, an ISIL fighting position, and seven ISIL boats.
*       Near Kisik, four strikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL staging area, an ISIL bunker, an ISIL supply cache, and an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL headquarters.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, six strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL VBIED, five ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL assembly area, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL rocket system, an ISIL trench, and suppressed an ISIL sniper position and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.’

https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/716984582315372549

Update from UK MoD for Monday 4 April:

‘Monday 4 April – Tornados and Typhoons struck five Daesh positions in western and northern Iraq…On Monday 4 April, Typhoon FGR4s patrolled over Anbar province in western Iraq. East of Fallujah, the Typhoons struck two buildings occupied by Daesh fighters that had been identified by Iraqi ground forces with Paveway IV guided bombs. The aircraft then flew to the city of Hit, on the Euphrates river, where a coalition surveillance aircraft had spotted a large group of terrorists positioned in a line of trees on the edge of the town. These extremists were also struck using a Paveway IV.
Other RAF aircraft were active over northern Iraq; Tornado GR4s assisted Kurdish peshmerga engaged in a firefight north-west of Mosul, hitting their Daesh opponents with a Paveway, whilst Typhoons conducted a successful bombing attack on extremists mustering near Qayyarah.’

April 5th-6th 2016
Iraq 19 strikes (7,669-7,687)
Syria 4 strikes (3,725-3,728)
Confirmed actions: US, UK
6 civilians: 1 woman and 5 children, alleged killed at Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq
7 civilians alleged killed at Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq


From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 5, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted four strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Al Hawl, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL mortar system.
*       Near Idlib, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Manbij, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Mar’a, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL vehicle.

Iraq

*       Near Hit, two strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions, six ISIL boats, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL supply cache, an ISIL medium machine gun, and three ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Kirkuk, two strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL command and control node, an ISIL bed down location, three ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL VBIED, and an ISIL machine gun.
*       Near Kisik, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Mosul, seven strikes [1 British] struck five separate ISIL tactical units, an ISIL financial storage center, and an ISIL headquarters and destroyed two ISIL supply caches, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL command and control node, and three ISIL assembly areas.
*       Near Qayyarah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Sinjar, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL supply cache and three ISIL assembly areas.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL VBIED, two ISIL fighting positions, six ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL mortar systems, and an ISIL tunnel system.
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.’

Update from UK MoD for Tuesday 5 April:

‘Tuesday 5 April – Typhoons destroyed six terrorist targets in northern Iraq, including a headquarters building…On Tuesday 5 April, a Typhoon flight operated over northern Iraq, using Paveways to attack three Daesh-held buildings north-east of Mosul, including a weapons store. They then used a further three Paveways to destroy three Daesh positions some miles south of Kirkuk, including a headquarters building and a base used by a mortar team.’

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/717761377721565185

https://twitter.com/EtatMajorFR/status/718014374502334464

France report 904 flights in Iraq and Syria, 198 strikes against Daesh and 319 targets destroyed since 1 January 2016.

Update from French MoD for 30 March – 5 April:
[Reports 8 strikes in Iraq – 7 ground support strikes and one planned strike:  ‘April 1, a patrol of four Mirage 2000D conducted a strike in Qayyarah area for the destruction of an ammunition storage site and improvised explosive devices’.] 

‘Chammal – 8 frappes contre Daech en Irak cette semaine, 11 objectifs détruits

Map showing location of French strikes 30 March – 5 April.

Australian Defence Force personnel based at Australia’s main air operating base in the Middle East region. (Aus MoD)

April 7th-8th 2016
Iraq 18 strikes (7,707-7,724)
Syria 8 strikes (3,737-3,744)
Confirmed actions: US, UK
11 civilians alleged killed at Haj Ali, Qayyarah, Nineveh province, Iraq
1 civilian alleged killed at Tel-al Jayer near Shadadi, Hassakah governorate, Syria
4 civilians and 13 Daesh fighters alleged killed at Jarablus, Aleppo governorate, Syria

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 7, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight strikes using attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Al Hawl, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Mar’a, seven strikes struck seven separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL command and control node, and two ISIL vehicles.

Iraq

*       Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun.
*       Near Fallujah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Hit, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL recoilless rifle, an ISIL supply cache, an ISIL boat, two ISIL vehicles, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Kirkuk, two strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL bunker, two ISIL vehicles, seven ISIL rocket systems, and an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).
*       Near Mosul, seven strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and an ISIL VBIED manufacturing facility and destroyed an ISIL tunnel system, four ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL supply cache, and an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Qayyarah, one strike [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions.
*       Near Sinjar, one strike destroyed two ISIL assembly areas and two ISIL supply caches.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL assembly area and an ISIL supply cache and denied ISIL access to terrain.’

The current rotation (Rotation Five) of E-7A maintenance personnel in front of a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail airborne command and control aircraft ground crew, at Australia’s main logistics base for ADF operations in the Middle East region. (Aus MoD)

Update from UK MoD for Thursday 7 April:

April 8th-9th 2016
Iraq 21 strikes (7,725-7,745)
Syria 2 strikes (3,745-3,746)
Confirmed actions: US, UK

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 8, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted two strikes using attack aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and attack, ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIL oil separator.
*       Near Manbij, one strike destroyed an ISIL rocket rail, seven ISIL rockets, and an ISIL mortar system.

Iraq

*       Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun.
*       Near Albu Hayat, one strike destroyed two ISIL rocket rails and 22 rockets.
*       Near Habbaniyah, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL mortar system and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Haditha, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.
*       Near Hit, four strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 10 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL artillery piece, an ISIL anti-air artillery piece, 30 ISIL boats, and an ISIL tactical vehicle.
*       Near Kirkuk, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Kisik, two strikes destroyed an ISIL command and control node and an ISIL tunnel system.
*       Near Mosul, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL financial storage center and destroyed three ISIL rocket rails.
*       Near Qayyarah, four strikes struck an ISIL weapons storage facility and destroyed two ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Sinjar, one strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike struck an ISIL headquarters.’

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/719178228972261376

Update from UK MoD for Friday 8 April:

‘Friday 8 April – Typhoons destroyed a terrorist “hell cannon” in western Iraq…On Friday 8 April, RAF Typhoon FGR4s patrolled the area around Hit. Coalition surveillance aircraft located a concealed improvised artillery piece – known as a “hell cannon” – which had opened fire on the Iraqi troops and was hidden under trees. Working closely with surveillance aircraft, the Typhoon flight was able to score a direct hit using a Paveway IV guided bomb.’

April 9th-10th 2016
Iraq 24 strikes (7,746-7,769)
Syria 1 strike (3,747)
Confirmed actions: US, UK, France
2-67 civilians alleged killed at Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 9, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted one strike using attack aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed two ISIL oil pump jacks.
Iraq

*       Near Albu Hayat, two strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL tactical vehicle and three ISIL fighting positions.
*       Near Fallujah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Haditha, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Hit, two strikes [1 British] struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed nine ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, and an ISIL mortar system and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Kirkuk, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL fighting position, five ISIL assembly areas, and an ISIL supply cache.
*       Near Mosul, eight strikes [2 French] struck three separate ISIL tactical units and five ISIL communication facilities and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL boat.
*       Near Qayyarah, three strikes destroyed two ISIL boats and an ISIL vehicle and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Sinjar, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL assembly area.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun.’

Update from UK MoD for Saturday 9 April:

‘Saturday 9 April – a Reaper struck a Daesh mortar team in western Iraq…A RAF Reaper remotely piloted aircraft was tasked on Saturday 9 April to hunt for a Daesh mortar team operating in the Hit area. Intensive surveillance allowed the Reaper’s crew to identify and track motorcycle-mounted terrorists who stopped to set up a mortar. They were struck by a Hellfire missile from the Reaper.’

Update from French MoD for 9-10 April:
[Reports that on the night of 9-10 April, two strikes were conducted on Daesh installations in Mosul]

‘Dans la nuit du 9 au 10 avril, deux Mirage 2000D de la base aérienne projetée en Jordanie et deux Rafale basés aux Émirats arabes unis ont réalisé deux frappes sur des installations de Daech à Mossoul.

Malgré des conditions météorologiques particulièrement difficiles, les Mirage 2000D et les Rafale ont tiré avec succès leurs armements sur les objectifs.

Les frappes ont été coordonnées par le Centre des opérations aériennes de la coalition (CAOC) situé à Al Udeïd au Qatar. Visant des moyens de commandement de l’organisation terroriste, elles s’inscrivent dans une stratégie d’affaiblissement des capacités militaires sur lesquelles s’appuie Daech pour consolider ses positions défensives dans la région de Mossoul.

Lancée depuis le 19 septembre 2014, l’opération Chammal mobilise 1000 militaires. A la demande initiale du gouvernement irakien et en coordination avec les alliés de la France présents dans la région, elle vise à assurer un soutien aérien en Irak et en Syrie dans la lutte contre le groupe terroriste Daech. Le dispositif de l’opération est actuellement structuré autour de quatorze avions de chasse de l’armée de l’Air (six Rafale, huit Mirage 2000D), d’un avion de renseignement, de commandement, de contrôle (E3F), d’un avion de patrouille maritime Atlantique2, ainsi que de la frégate Jean Bart. Il comprend également deux détachements d’instruction projetés à Bagdad et à Erbil pour participer à la formation et au conseil des forces irakiennes.’

‘The strength Chammal destroyed Daech of installations in Mosul the night of April 9 to 10’

https://twitter.com/EtatMajorFR/status/719792330371440640

France’s Operation Chammal destroyed Daesh installations, with two strikes, on the night of 9-10 April.

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/719148033821261825

April 10th-11th 2016
Iraq 13 strikes (7,770-7,782)
Syria 5 strikes (3,748-3,752)
Confirmed actions: US, UK
3 or more civilians alleged killed at Hit, Anbar province province, Iraq
20 civilians alleged killed at Raqqa, Raqqa governorate, Syria
5 civilians, including 1 child, alleged killed at Tal Hussain, Aleppo governorate, Syria

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 10, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted five strikes using attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 13 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and ground-attack, fighter, and attack aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Manbij, one strike produced inconclusive results.
*       Near Mar’a, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions, seven ISIL vehicles, two ISIL tactical vehicles, and an ISIL house borne improvised explosive device (HBIED).

Iraq

*       Near Ar Rutbah, one strike destroyed an ISIL bed down location.
*       Near Hit, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, six ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
*       Near Mosul, four strikes [3 British] struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed seven ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL supply cache, and an ISIL rocket rail.
*       Near Qayyarah, one strike [1 British] denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Sinjar, one strike destroyed three ISIL bed down locations, two ISIL supply caches, and an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, four ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL staging areas, and an ISIL vehicle borne IED.’

Update from UK MoD for Sunday 10 April:

‘Sunday 10 April – Tornados attacked a suspected headquarters in northern Iraq, as well as a rocket base and a sniper team…On Sunday 10 April, two flights of Tornado GR4s operated over northern Iraq to support Kurdish ground forces. One flight working east of Mosul demolished a Daesh-held building, suspected to be a local headquarters, using Paveway bombs. The Tornados then hit a building being used to stockpile rockets with another Paveway and used a Brimstone missle to account for a set of rocket launch rails nearby. The second Tornado flight provided support to Kurdish troops near Qayyarah who were coming under fire from a sniper team – they were successfully silenced by a further Paveway.’

https://twitter.com/EtatMajorFR/status/718492309147557889

‘Chammal: Presentation of the French system involved in the fight against Daech in Iraq and Syria’

Update from Dutch MoD for 4-10 April:
[Reports supporting Peshmerga fighters and Iraqi security forces from the air in the provinces include Al Anbar and Ninawa, Iraq. During one of the missions fighters hit an ISIS military base and fighters fighters and disabled a military convoy.]

‘Bij een aanval diep in door ISIS gecontroleerd gebied schakelden de F-16’s in het Midden-Oosten een groot communicatienetwerk van de terreurgroep uit. Dat gebeurde samen met coalitiepartners. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 4 tot 10 april 2016.

De toestellen ondersteunden vanuit de lucht ook Peshmerga-strijders en Iraakse veiligheidstroepen Dat gebeurde in onder meer de provincies Al Anbar en Ninawa in Irak. Tijdens een van de missies sloegen jachtvliegtuigen een ISIS-aanval op een militaire basis af door strijders en een militair konvooi uit te schakelen. Dankzij de luchtsteun boekten Iraakse troepen opnieuw terreinwinst. Kijk hier voor meer informatie over inzetlocaties van de coalitie.’

April 11th-12th 2016
Iraq 9 strikes (7,783-7,791)
Syria 4 strikes (3,753-3,756)
Confirmed actions: US, UK

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 11, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted four strikes using attack aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Manbij, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL mortar system.
*       Near Mar’a, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL tunnel entrance, two ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL improvised explosive device (IED).

Iraq

*       Near Hit, two strikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed 20 ISIL fighting positions, 16 ISIL heavy machine guns, four ISIL rocket propelled grenade systems, an ISIL anti-air artillery piece, two ISIL staging areas, and denied ISL access to terrain.
*       Near Mosul, four strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and two separate ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL assembly area.
*       Near Qayyarah, one strike [1 British] destroyed three ISIL machine guns and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Sinjar, two strikes destroyed an ISIL staging area and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.’

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/720310967087669249

Update from UK MoD for Monday 11 April:

‘Monday 11 April – Typhoons hit four terrorist positions in northern Iraq…RAF patrols continued in northern Iraq on Monday 11 April. A Typhoon mission destroyed a terrorist machine-gun team east of Mosul, then struck three Daesh positions east of Qayyarah.’

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/720008892374196226

April 12th-13th 2016
Iraq 7 strikes (7,792-7,798)
Syria 2 strikes (3,757-3,758)
Confirmed actions: US, UK

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 12, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted two strikes using attack and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, ground-attack, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Al Hawl, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Mar’a, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Iraq

*       Near Al Huwayjah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL assembly area.
*       Near Hit, two strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed six ISIL machine gun positions and four ISIL fighting positions.
*       Near Mosul, two strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL assembly areas and an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Qayyarah, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike produced inconclusive results.’

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/720341130185977856

Update from UK MoD for Tuesday 12 April:

‘Tuesday 12 April – Tornados struck three Daesh positions in northern Iraq, including rocket and mortar teams, while Typhoons destroyed two terrorist strongpoints in the west of the country…On Tuesday 12 April, a pair of Tornados bombed through thick cloud to hit two terrorist positions, including a rocket launching team, north of Mosul, and a Daesh mortar team near Qayyarah. In western Iraq, Typhoons supported the Iraqi counter-terrorist forces pushing into Hit, and used Paveways to strike two buildings held by Daesh rocket-propelled grenade and machine-gun teams.’

https://twitter.com/EtatMajorFR/status/718462173366874112

French Rafale fighter aircraft, deployed as part of Operation Chammal, at their base in the UAE.

https://twitter.com/EtatMajorFR/status/720555090705297408

Since 1 January, France’s Operation Chammal have conducted 943 flights in Iraq and Syria, 212 strikes against Daesh, with 343 targets destroyed.

Update from French MoD for 6-12 April:
[Reports 14 strikes destroying 24 Daesh targets in Iraq: 12 in northern Iraq in support of ground operations and 2 planned strikes on 9 April in the Mosul area]

‘Chammal – 14 frappes contre Daech en Irak cette semaine, 24 objectifs détruits

Du 6 au 12 avril 2016, les moyens aériens de la force Chammal ont réalisé 39 sorties dont 24 de bombardement et 13 de recueil de renseignement. Au total 14 frappes ont détruit 24 objectifs de Daech.

Map showing location of French strikes in Iraq, 6-12 April

April 13th-14th 2016
Iraq 17 strikes (7,799-7,815)
Syria 4 strikes (3,759-3,762)
Confirmed actions: US, UK

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 13, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted four strikes using attack and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, ground-attack, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Al Hawl, two strikes produced inconclusive results.
*       Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed an ISIL oil pump jack.
*       Near Mar’a, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

Iraq

*       Near Hit, four strikes [1 British] struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL machine gun positions, an ISIL boat, an ISIL boat dock, seven ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL command and control node, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Kisik, two strikes [1 British?] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL bunker.
*       Near Mosul, three strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), and an ISIL storage facility.
*       Near Qayyarah, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL headquarters, and an ISIL financial headquarters and destroyed an ISIL assembly area.
*       Near Sinjar, two strikes [1 British?] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, two strikes destroyed seven ISIL boats and an ISIL mortar position and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike suppressed an ISIL mortar position.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyCZ-zCB5YI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlFVIaNR0z4

Update from UK MoD for Wednesday 13 April:

‘Wednesday 13 April – Typhoons and Tornados conducted attacks in northern and western Iraq, destroying heavy weapons and a truck-bomb, and sinking a number of terrorist-operated barges…Iraqi counter-terrorist forces, supported by Royal Air Force and other coalition aircraft, have made good progress in clearing Daesh extremists out of the town of Hit, strategically located on the southern bank of the Euphrates in western Iraq. On Wednesday 13 April, RAF Typhoon FGR4s assisted in the destruction of one of the remaining terrorist strongpoints on the eastern outskirts of the town, striking, despite the very close proximity of the Iraqi forces, a Daesh machine-gun position with a Paveway IV guided bomb. When the Iraqi troops liberated the town’s hospital, they found that it had been converted into a terrorist bomb-making factory, with a number of vehicles there, including an ambulance, converted into truck-bombs; fortunately, the speed of the Iraqi victory prevented these deadly booby-traps from being deployed. In northern Iraq, other Typhoons bombed terrorist rocket and mortar teams located some miles south-west of Sinjar, and in the Kisik area, which had opened fire on advancing Kurdish troops. West of Mosul, Tornado GR4s tracked an articulated lorry carrying a prepared car-bomb on its trailer; despite the lorry’s speed, a direct hit was scored on the car-bomb using a Brimstone missile. The Tornados then used Paveways to destroy two clusters of barges being used by the terrorists to move men and supplies across the Tigris.’

April 14th-15th 2016
Iraq 30 strikes (7,816-7,845)
Syria 6 strikes (3,763-3,768)
Confirmed actions: US, UK

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 14, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted six strikes using attack and ground-attack aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 30 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, ground-attack, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed an ISIL bulldozer.
*       Near Mar’a, five strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and four ISIL vehicles.

Iraq

*       Near Hit, three [2 British] strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 18 ISIL boats, an ISIL command and control node, and an ISIL weapons cache and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL tunnel system.
*       Near Mosul, 21 strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, 18 ISIL modular oil refineries, and two ISIL crude oil stills and destroyed an ISIL assembly area.
*       Near Qayyarah, one strike destroyed 33 ISIL boats.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL assembly area, an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL mortar cache, and an ISIL mortar system.
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike suppressed an ISIL mortar position.’

Update from UK MoD for Thursday 14 April:

‘Thursday 14 April – Typhoons and Tornados struck further Daesh targets in northern and western Iraq, including boats being used by the terrorists to flee from the town of Hit…Thursday 14 April saw Tornados patrolling over northern Iraq, providing close air support to Kurdish forces in the areas south of Sinjar and Kisik. Successful Paveway attacks accounted for a Daesh mortar team and destroyed the entrance to a tunnel system where a number of terrorists were reported to be hiding. Near Qayyarah, Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building, again using a Paveway IV. In western Iraq, as the last Daesh fighters pulled out of Hit, a Tornado flight employed two Brimstone missiles to sink boats used by them to cross the Euphrates.’

A Royal Australian Air Force Aircraft Refueller prepares to refuel an Australian F/A-18A Hornet fighter aircraft prior to conducting a sortie over the Middle East (Aus MoD)

April 15th-16th 2016
Iraq 15 strikes (7,846-7,860)
Syria 3 strikes (3,769-3,771)
Confirmed actions: US

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 15, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted three strikes using attack and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Mar’a, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.

Iraq

*       Near Fallujah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Hit, two strikes destroyed an ISIL mortar system, 14 ISIL boats, and an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Mosul, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, 14 ISIL modular oil refineries, and two ISIL crude oil stills and destroyed an ISIL assembly area and 10 ISIL boats.
*       Near Qayyarah, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 24 ISIL boats, two ISIL rocket rails, and two ISIL assembly areas.
*       Near Sinjar, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar system and an ISIL assembly area.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.’

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/721760336169345024

April 16th-17th 2016
Iraq 17 strikes (7,861-7,877)
Syria 9 strikes (3,772-3,780)
Confirmed actions: US

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 16, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted nine strikes using attack, ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Al Hawl, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed an ISIL pump jack and an ISIL oil separator.
*       Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Manbij, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Mar’a, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL tactical vehicle.

Iraq

*       Near Fallujah, one strike destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL recoilless rifle.
*       Near Haditha, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and a vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).
*       Near Hit, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL excavator, and an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Irbil, one strike destroyed an ISIL mortar system.
*       Near Kisik, one strike destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.
*       Near Mosul, six strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, four ISIL assembly areas, and three ISIL vehicles.
*       Near Qayyarah, one strike destroyed an ISIL rocket rail.
*       Near Sinjar, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike destroyed an ISIL mortar system.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBXH_2Vh2y0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLKZooGOrb8

April 17th-18th 2016
Iraq 17 strikes (7,878-7,894)
Syria 3 strikes (3,781-3,783)
Confirmed actions: US, UK
3-8 civilians, including 1 woman, alleged killed at Halabsa village near Fallujah, Anbar province, Iraq

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 17, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted three strikes using ground-attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Manbij, two strikes [1 British?] destroyed two ISIL anti-air artillery pieces.

Iraq

*       Near Al Baghdadi, three strikes struck an ISIL weapons cache, an ISIL communications facility, and an ISIL staging area.
*       Near Fallujah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Hit, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Kirkuk, one strike [1 British] struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL vehicles.
*       Near Kisik, three strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL assembly areas and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL rocket team.
*       Near Mosul, four strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL mortar positions, two ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL boat and suppressed an ISIL rocket team.
*       Near Qayyarah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL safe house.
*       Near Sinjar, one strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.’

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/721865999084036096

Update from UK MoD for Sunday 17 April:

‘Sunday 17 April – Tornados attacked a mortar position in northern Syria, while Typhoons bombed Daesh positions in northern Iraq…A Tornado armed reconnaissance patrol over northern Syria on Sunday 17 April bombed a Daesh large calibre mortar position near Manbij. In northern Iraq, a Typhoon flight used a total of eight Paveways in a succession of successful strikes around Kisik, Mosul and south of Kirkuk, destroying a terrorist mortar team, four vehicles, and three Daesh-held buildings.’

Update from Dutch MoD for 11-18 April:
[Dutch F-16s supported the advance of ground forces of the Iraqi Security Force around the city of Hit, in the valley of the Euphrates. Dutch fighter aircraft targeted different goals around Hit, along with Coalition partners, while ground forces purged Hit of Daesh fighters. Where they encountered resistance, they got precision air support from the Coalition.]

‘Nederlandse F-16’s ondersteunden de opmars van grondtroepen van de Iraakse Security Force rond de stad Hit, in de vallei van de Eufraat. De jachtvliegtuigen van de Air Task Force Middle East (ATF ME) schakelden ter voorbereiding op de invasie, samen met coalitiepartners, verschillende doelen uit rond Hit. Dat gebeurde afgelopen weken al. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 11 tot 18 april 2016.

Grondtroepen zuiverden Hit van de laatste ISIS strijders. Daar waar zij tegenstand ondervonden, kregen ze precisie-luchtsteun van de coalitie. Diverse malen bevrijdden vliegers de grondtroepen uit benarde situaties, door tientallen strijders, mortierposities en schuillocaties van ISIS uit te schakelen. Met dagelijkse steun van de ATF en andere coalitiepartners werd in enkele dagen tijd de hele stad bevrijd. Daarmee is opnieuw een belangrijke stap gezet in het verslaan van ISIS en de bevrijding van Irak. Een uitgebreid overzicht van de inzet van de coalitie in de strijd tegen ISIS staat bij CENTCOM.

Midden-Oosten

70 vrouwelijke Peshmerga namen in de Iraaks-Koerdische stad Suleimaniya hun certificaat ‘militaire basisvaardigheden’ in ontvangst. De afgelopen 3 weken zijn deze vrouwen getraind door Britse en Nederlandse instructeurs om te vechten tegen ISIS.

In het Iraakse Erbil werden de andere trainingen aan Koerdische Peshmerga-strijders voortgezet. Daarnaast kregen Iraakse commando’s diverse cursussen, waaronder een sniper– en een medische cursus.’

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/722772044262322176

April 18th-19th 2016
Iraq 17 strikes (7,895-7,911)
Syria 1 strike (3,784)
Confirmed actions: US, UK
22 civilians alleged killed at Sidera village near Shirkat, Salahudin province, Iraq

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 18, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted one strike using remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

Iraq

*       Near Al Baghdadi, one strike destroyed 10 ISIL rocket rails and an ISIL supply cache.
*       Near Al Huwayjah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL staging area.
*       Near Ar Rutbah, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Kisik, three strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and two ISIL tunnels and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.
*       Near Mosul, seven strikes [1 British, 1 Dutch?] struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL supply caches, an ISIL fighting position, two ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED), an ISIL VBIED factory, an ISIL bed down location, and an ISIL vehicle and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Qayyarah, one strike struck an ISIL weapons storage facility.
*       Near Sinjar, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL assembly area.
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed three ISIL rocket rails.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGQ1dwLfyE4

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/722455134366773249

Update from UK MoD for Monday 18 April:

‘Monday 18 April – Typhoons and Tornados bombed terrorist targets in northern and western Iraq, including two mortar positions, ten rocket launchers and an improvised explosive device factory…The next day, Monday 18 April, a Typhoon mission used Paveways to attack two mortar positions which had opened fire on Kurdish troops near Kisik, while a pair of Tornados conducted simultaneous attacks on three Daesh targets north-east of Mosul, hitting a bomb-making factory and two other terrorist-held buildings. In western Iraq, Typhoons dropped four Paveways to destroy ten rocket-launchers and a stockpile of ammunition positioned on the bank of the Euphrates.’

https://twitter.com/EtatMajorFR/status/722482225506160640

‘More than 1000 French soldiers are engaged 24/7 in France’s fight against Daesh’

April 19th-20th 2016
Iraq 21 strikes (7,912-7,932)
Syria 3 strikes + 1 (3,785-3,788)
Confirmed actions: US, UK
3 or more civilians alleged killed at Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq
2 or more civilians alleged killed at Al Tabaqah, Raqqa governorate, Syria
7-8 civilians, including 4 children and 1-2 women, alleged killed at Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 19, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted three strikes using attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Coalition military forces also conducted one strike in Syria in support of Coalition operations using attack aircraft. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Manbij, one strike destroyed an ISIL artillery piece.
*       Near Mar’a, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and damaged a third ISIL fighting position.

Iraq

*       Near Fallujah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL cache and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Habbaniyah, one strike produced inconclusive results.
*       Near Hit, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun.
*       Near Kirkuk, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL bulldozer and an ISIL assembly area.
*       Near Kisik, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL assembly area, 24 ISIL rocket rails, and an ISIL fighting position and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Mosul, nine strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL staging area, an ISIL-used power plant, and four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL supply caches, an ISIL mortar system, and two ISIL vehicles and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Sinjar, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL supply cache and five ISIL asphalt steamrollers.
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Coalition military forces conducted one strike in Syria in support of Coalition operations using attack aircraft:

*       Near Ayn Isa, one strike struck inoperable Coalition equipment denying ISIL access in support of Coalition operations.’

Update from UK MoD for Tuesday 19 April:

‘Tuesday 19 April – Tornados and Typhoons attacked Daesh targets in northern and western Iraq, including three mortars and two machine-gun teams…In northern Iraq, Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s spotted a tractor pulling a large towed mortar near Barimah on Tuesday 19 April. A hit from a Brimstone missile brought the tractor to a halt, and a Paveway IV guided bomb then destroyed the mortar. Near Mosul, a pair of Typhoons accounted for two more mortars, hitting them with Paveways which also destroyed their stockpiled ammunition. In western Iraq, another Tornado mission assisted Iraqi forces, who had liberated the town of Hit the previous week, as they cleared terrorist positions across the Euphrates on the northern bank. The Tornados destroyed two machine-gun positions using Paveway IVs.’

https://twitter.com/EtatMajorFR/status/722847240176308225

Update from French MoD for 13-19 April:
[Reports six ‘floor support strikes’, culminating in the destruction of 8 goals: 2 strikes in the areas of Mosul and Sinjar and 4 strikes along the Euphrates valley]

‘Chammal : 6 frappes contre Daech en Irak cette semaine, 8 objectifs détruits

État-major des armées | 20 avril 2016

Du 13 au 19 avril 2016, la composante aérienne de la force Chammal a réalisé 61 sorties,  dont 49 de bombardement et 12 de recueil de renseignement.
Ces sorties ont permis la réalisation de 6 frappes, aboutissant à la destruction de 8 objectifs.

La  force Chammal a concentré ses missions de bombardement au-dessus de la  vallée de l’Euphrate, à l’ouest de l’Irak, où les chasseurs  français ont en particulier appuyé les opérations terrestres de reconquête de la ville de Hit.
6 frappes d’appui au sol ont été réalisées en  Irak au cours de la semaine :

2 frappes dans les secteurs de Mossoul et de Sinjar
4 frappes dans le long de la vallée de l’Euphrate

Les missions d’appui au sol : capacité déterminante apportée par la Coalition aux forces irakiennes

Les équipages de l’armée de l’air engagés en Irak et en Syrie, réalisent trois grands types de  mission :  des missions de renseignement, des frappes sur des objectifs planifiés et des frappes d’opportunité.

Les missions d’appui au sol (Close Air Support ou CAS)  sont des frappes d’opportunité destinées à aider les forces irakiennes engagées au sol dans les combats contre Daech. Ces missions permettent  d’exercer une pression permanente sur l’adversaire,  tout en confortant l’action des troupes au sol.

Dans  les zones les plus sensibles ou les zones d’effort, ce soutien est  quasi permanent, de jour  comme de nuit. Pour les combattants au sol, cette permanence représente  la garantie de pouvoir bénéficier à tout moment d’une frappe permettant de  venir à bout d’un point de résistance ou de se dégager d’une difficulté.

Dans les  airs, cette notion de permanence reste toutefois très délicate.  En effet, un avion ne peut demeurer indéfiniment en vol. Pour obtenir une telle permanence,  la coalition doit donc s’appuyer sur l’ensemble des chasseurs dont elle  dispose, en répartissant leur emploi selon des créneaux horaires  (Slot ou Time Block) sur une zone donnée. Assurer les combattants  irakiens de pouvoir disposer d’un appui CAS  implique donc un travail de planification important des moyens aériens disponibles.

Chaque patrouille de chasseur est ainsi engagée dans le cadre d’une manœuvre d’ensemble, sur un  créneau horaire spécifié et au-dessus d’une zone précise.

En fonction du déroulement des combats au sol, les aéronefs  peuvent être amenés à réaliser une ou plusieurs frappes. Coordonnées depuis le centre de commandement des opérations aériennes d’Al Udeid (CAOC) au Qatar, elles sont conduites sur demande des forces locales engagées contre Daech. Elles ne sont donc pas systématiques. Il arrive par conséquent que certains chasseurs rentrent de mission sans  avoir eu à utiliser leur armement, alors que d’autres seront amenés à bombarder à plusieurs reprises.

L’appui au sol constitue une capacité déterminante apportée par la Coalition aux forces irakiennes dans leur lutte contre Daech, tant sur  le plan moral (certitude de pouvoir bénéficier d’une frappe) que sur le plan tactique, lorsqu’un bombardement frappe effectivement l’adversaire.’

https://twitter.com/EtatMajorFR/status/723086399667355648

Since January 1: 1004 flights in Iraq/Syria, 218 strikes against Daesh, 351 targets destroyed.

April 22nd-23rd 2016
Iraq 20 strikes (7,976-7,995)
Syria 10 strikes (3,799-3,808)
Confirmed actions: US, UK, France
36-37 civilians, including 17 women and 11 children, alleged killed at Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 22, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and bomber, fighter, ground-attack, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Abu Kamal, one strike [1 British] struck an ISIL weapons factory.
*       Near Al Hawl, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Ar Raqqah, one strike [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL checkpoint.
*       Near Manbij, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL vehicles.
*       Near Mar’a, one strike destroyed an ISIL staging area.
*       Near Washiyah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

Iraq

*       Near Al Baghdadi, eight strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, two ISIL weapons storage facilities, and three ISIL bed down locations and destroyed three ISIL bunkers and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Al Qaim, one strike [1 French] struck an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) facility.
*       Near Bayji, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL VBIED.
*       Near Fallujah, three strikes [1-2 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL-used bridge, an ISIL fighting position, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL bunker, and an ISIL tunnel system.
*       Near Hit, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL recoilless rifle.
*       Near Kirkuk, one strike [1 British] destroyed an ISIL command and control node and an ISIL-used bridge.
*       Near Mosul, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL weapons caches, an ISIL check point, two ISIL vehicles, and an ISIL VBIED.
*       Near Qayyarah, one strike destroyed two ISIL mortar systems.
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike produced inconclusive results.’

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/724206327409553408

Update from UK MoD for Friday 22 April:

‘Friday 22 April – Reapers destroyed a car-bomb facility and a terrorist vehicle in Syria, Typhoons provided close air support in western Iraq, and Tornados destroyed a Daesh-built bridge and a communications post in northern Iraq…Two RAF Reapers operating over Syria conducted strikes on Friday 22 April. Near Abu Kamal, one Reaper provided surveillance support to a successful coalition attack on an improvised weapons factory, then used two of its own Hellfire missiles to demolish a nearby workshop used for constructing car-bombs. The second Reaper tracked a terrorist vehicle near Tabuqah, south-west of Raqqa, and destroyed it with a Hellfire.

In western Iraq, Typhoons continued to support Iraqi ground forces north of Fallujah, where they conducted four Paveway attacks against snipers, a bunker and an entrenched fighting position. Tornados patrolled south-west of Kirkuk, where two Paveways destroyed a bridge built by Daesh across a canal, and a communications post nearby.’

Update from French MoD for 22 April:
[Reports that between 21 and 22 April 2016, there were 3 planned strikes planned in less than 36 hours against Daesh: On April 21, two patrols, composed of 2 and 4 Mirage 2000D, respectively destroyed an oil infrastructure used for military purposes and a fire in the Abu Kamal region of Syria. On April 22, a patrol of two Mirage 2000D struck again, aiming at a logistics depot in the region of Al Qaim, Iraq]

‘Un engagement continu : en 36 heures, la force Chammal a réalisé 3 frappes planifiées en Syrie et en Irak.

État-major des armées | 23 avril 2016

April 23rd-24th 2016
Iraq 24 strikes (7,996-8,019)
Syria 4 strikes (3,809-3,812)
Confirmed actions: US
1 or more civilians alleged killed at Marqadah, Al-Hasakah governorate, Syria

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 23, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted four strikes using attack aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Manbij, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, and an ISIL anti-air artillery system.
*       Near Mar’a, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, and an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).

Iraq

*       Near Al Baghdadi, one strike [1 Dutch?] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL weapons caches, an ISIL recoilless rifle, an ISIL VBIED factory, and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed an ISIL tunnel system and an ISIL generator.
*       Near Bayji, one strike destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.
*       Near Fallujah, five strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL bunker, and three ISIL trench systems.
*       Near Habbaniyah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL weapons cache, and an ISIL trench system.
*       Near Hit, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL recoilless rifle.
*       Near Kisik, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas, four ISIL improvised explosive devices, an ISIL observation camera and suppressed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL mortar position.
*       Near Mosul, four strikes struck an ISIL modular refinery and an ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL assembly area and two ISIL vehicles and damaged an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Ramadi, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Sinjar, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units, an ISIL VBIED and weapons facility and destroyed six ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL mortar system, and an ISIL supply cache.’

https://twitter.com/EtatMajorFR/status/723847668057837568

April 24th-25th 2016
Iraq 11 strikes (8,020-8,030)
Syria 3 strikes (3,813-3,815)
Confirmed actions: US, UK, France
4 civilians alleged killed Kafr Ghan near Souran, Aleppo governorate, Syria

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 24, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted three strikes using attack and ground-attack aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Manbij, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Mar’a, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL supply cache, and an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).

Iraq

*       Near Al Baghdadi, one strike struck an ISIL staging area.
*       Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed an ISIL tunnel system.
*       Near Fallujah, five strikes [2 British, 1 French with others] struck three separate ISIL tactical units and an ISIL staging area and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL mortar positions, an ISIL bulldozer, an ISIL front end loader, an ISIL recoilless rifle, and three ISIL bed down locations.
*       Near Mosul, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL anti-air artillery pieces and an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Sinjar, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Waleed, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um2cTjCsatI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUMFTS13mAU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BneAJK2nT4

Update from UK MoD for Sunday 24 April:

‘Sunday 24 April – Typhoons attacked a Daesh compound and sniper position in western Iraq…Typhoons were again in action near Fallujah on Sunday 24 April; one pair silenced a sniper position that was firing on Iraqi troops, while a second pair dropped three Paveways on a Daesh compound.’

Update from French MoD for 24-25 April:
[Reports a joint strike, in Fallujah, Iraq, during the night of Sunday 24 to Monday 25 April, destroying important Daesh infrastructure. This mission “coordinated by the Center of coalition air operations in Al Udeid in Qatar, demonstrates the interoperability of French crews with their US counterparts. It is part of the strategy of weakening Daech, by systematically destroying its military means but also logistics.”]

‘Après avoir menés un engagement continu pendant 36h en fin de semaine dernière, les aéronefs force Chammal ont de nouveau frappé dans la nuit du dimanche 24 au lundi 25 avril 2016. 4 Mirage 2000D ont participé à une frappe conjointe en Irak. Au cours de ce raid dans la région de Falloujah, d’importantes infrastructures ont été détruites. Sous contrôle du groupe terroriste Daech, ces bâtiments servaient de zone de regroupement et de transit de combattants ainsi que de dépôt d’armement.

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/724703336847532032

April 25th-26th 2016
Iraq 18 strikes (8,031-8,048)
Syria 7 strikes (3,816-3,822)
Confirmed actions: US, UK

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 25, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted seven strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.
The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Manbij, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.
*       Near Mar’a, six strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL vehicles.

Iraq

*       Near Al Baghdadi, one strike destroyed an ISIL mortar position.
*       Near Ar Rutbah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Bayji, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Fallujah, six strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 11 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL-used bridges, an ISIL bunker, and two ISIL heavy machine guns and damaged a separate ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Habbaniyah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Hit, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
*       Near Kirkuk, two strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL command and control node, an ISIL assembly area, and an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL assembly area.
*       Near Mosul, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL weapons storage facility and destroyed an ISIL supply cache.
*       Near Sinjar, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL vehicle.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nulyzL6jwqg

Update from UK MoD for Monday 25 April:

‘Monday 25 April – Typhoons struck a group of Daesh extremists gathering for a possible attack in northern Iraq…Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s patrolled over northern Iraq on Monday 25 April, supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker. The aircraft were alerted to a group of Daesh terrorists gathering in two buildings south-west of Kirkuk and struck both buildings with Paveway IV guided bombs.’

Update from French MoD for 25 April:
[Reports 3 strikes between 21-22 April: 2 in the Abu Kamal region of Syria and 1 in the Al Qaim region of Iraq]

‘En 36 heures, la force Chammal réalise 3 frappes planifiées en Syrie et en Irak

Les 21 et 22 avril 2016, la composante aérienne de la force Chammal a réalisé 3 frappes planifiées en moins de 36 heures contre des sites de Daech.
Ces missions, réalisées grâce aux renseignements recueillis dans les semaines précédentes, ont permis de frapper plusieurs infrastructures clés de l’organisation terroriste.

2 frappes planifiées ont été conduites en Syrie:

Le 21 avril, deux patrouilles, composées de 2 et 4 Mirage 2000D, ont respectivement détruit dans la région d’Abu Kamal une infrastructure pétrolière utilisée à des fins militaires et une caserne.

1 frappe planifiée a été conduite en Irak:

Le 22 avril, une patrouille composée de 2 Mirage 2000D a de nouveau frappé, visant un dépôt logistique dans la région de Al Qaim.

De telles frappes nécessitent en effet un important travail préalable de renseignement destiné à alimenter le processus de ciblage.

Ce processus conduit à une analyse “systémique” de l’ennemi, c’est-à-dire “des systèmes et des acteurs, de leurs capacités et de leur rôle dans l’évolution de la situation” (*).

Le résultat de cette analyse aboutit à la constitution de dossiers d’objectifs qui désignent les cibles « militaires » destinées à être frappées en fonction des effets à obtenir sur l’ennemi.

Après les frappes, un nouveau cycle de renseignement est initié pour conduire une analyse après action qui vise à évaluer les dommages provoqués par les frappes tant sur les objectifs que sur leur environnement. C’est le « Battle Damage Assessment ». Cette démarche permet de juger de l’efficacité de la mission et de déterminer s’il y a lieu, éventuellement, de procéder à de nouvelles frappes. Elle permet également de garantir l’absence de dommages collatéraux.’

April 26th-27th 2016
Iraq 23 strikes (8,049-8,071)
Syria 0 strikes (3,822)
Confirmed actions: US, UK

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 26, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 23 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Iraq

*       Near Al Baghdadi, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL tunnel systems, an ISIL tunnel entrance, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL recoilless rifle, and an ISIL fighting position.
*       Near Bayji, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.
*       Near Fallujah, three strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL mortar systems and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Hit, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL machine gun and an ISIL anti-air artillery piece.
*       Near Kirkuk, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL assembly area.
*       Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL mortar system.
*       Near Mosul, five strikes [1 British] struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL rocket rails, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL fighting position and suppressed an ISIL heavy machine gun.
*       Near Qayyarah, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar system.
*       Near Sinjar, one strike suppressed an ISIL mortar position.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL assembly area and an ISIL supply cache.
*       Near Tal Afar, three strikes destroyed two ISIL tunnel systems and an ISIL front end loader and denied ISIL access to terrain.’

Update from UK MoD for Tuesday 26 April:

‘Tuesday 26 April – Typhoons and Tornados prosecuted terrorist targets in western and northern Iraq, including a bunker and a vehicle…The following day Tornado GR4s operated over northern Iraq and used a Brimstone missile to destroy a vehicle south-west of Mosul. Paveway-armed Typhoons were active over western Iraq, striking a group of terrorists engaged in combat with Iraqi ground forces north-east of Fallujah before proceeding to destroy the entrance to a bunker on the bank of the Euphrates.’

A Dutch F-16

Update from Dutch MoD for 19-25 April:
[Reports that Dutch F-16s bombed various targets in Iraq and Syria, and that the Netherlands oversaw an Air Interdiction mission, which  – in collaboration with several coalition partners – destroyed a large factory making car bombs (Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Devices.)]

‘Nederlandse F-16’s bombardeerden diverse doelen in Irak en Syrië en zetten daarmee terreurorganisatie ISIS verder onder druk. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 19 tot 25 april.

De anti-ISIS-coalitie schat dat de terroristische organisatie in Irak 40 % van zijn terrein heeft verloren (waaronder 18 steden) en in Syrië 20 %. Nu de opmars van ISIS is gestopt, staat als vervolgfase het aanpakken van het voortzettingsvermogen van de terreurorganisatie op de agenda van de brede internationale coalitie.

Midden-Oosten

Een nieuw detachement vormt de Air Task Force Middle-East. Het is de 7e rotatie, die zich voor 3 maanden inzet voor de strijd tegen terreurorganisatie ISIS in Irak en Oost-Syrië. De Nederlandse F-16’s bombardeerden diverse doelen in Irak en Syrië. Nederland had de leiding over een Air Interdiction missie, waarbij in samenwerking met meerdere coalitiepartners een specifiek doel werd vernietigd. In dit geval een grote fabriek waar autobommen werden gemaakt (Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Device.

De Mosul-dam verkeert momenteel in slechte staat. Met de Iraakse regering is afgesproken dat een Italiaans bedrijf de dam gaat herstellen. Het Mobile Support Team (MST) voert samen met Groot-Brittannië en Noorwegen deze week een training uit in de omgeving van de dam. Hierbij worden Zeravani getraind om zo de dam te kunnen bewaken.

Nederlandse trainers van het MST trainen Peshmerga in de omgeving van het front. De inhoud van het 2 weken durende programma is afgestemd met het Ministry of Peshmerga zodat deze aansluit bij de behoefte. Daarnaast zijn Iraakse commando’s bijgeschoold, onder meer met een sniper- en een medische cursus. In de omgeving van Baghdad is afgelopen week weer een sniper course afgerond. In coalitieverband zijn er inmiddels meer dan 20.200 mensen getraind en meer dan 3.700 zijn nu nog in training.’

April 27th-28th 2016
Iraq 15 strikes (8,072-8,086)
Syria 7 strikes (3,823-3,829)
Confirmed actions: US, UK

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 27, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted seven strikes using attack and ground-attack aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, ground-attack, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Ayn Isa, one strike destroyed an ISIL bunker.
*       Near Mar’a, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting position and four ISIL vehicles.
*       Near Washiyah, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL command and control node and five ISIL vehicles.

Iraq

*       Near Al Baghdadi, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL bunker, and two ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED).
*       Near Al Huwayjah, one strike struck an ISIL logistics facility.
*       Near Fallujah, two strikes [1 British] struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL rocket rails, four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL staging area, and suppressed an ISIL rocket position.
*       Near Hit, four strikes [2 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL-used bridge, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Mosul, one strike struck an improvised weapons facility.
*       Near Qayyarah, five strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed five ISIL mortar positions, four ISIL assembly areas, two ISIL VBIEDs, and denied ISIL access to terrain and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdE-ZIFgLds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wIAV28s6RM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIzHOFJyoTk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP6Bpv-tiQQ

Update from UK MoD for Wednesday 27 April:

‘Wednesday 27 April – Typhoons and Tornados attacked multiple Daesh positions in western and northern Iraq, hitting a command post, six mortar, machine-gun and rocket teams, and two truck-bombs…On Wednesday 27 April, a pair of Tornados used Paveway IVs to destroy a terrorist mortar team operating north of the town of Hit, as well as a truck-bomb concealed amidst trees nearby. Later in the day, Typhoons struck a machine-gun position in the same area and a Daesh tactical command post north of Fallujah. In northern Iraq, Typhoons conducted a series of strikes near Qayyarah, hitting one mortar and two rocket teams, plus another truck-bomb. Near Mosul, Tornados hit a mortar position with a Paveway IV.’

https://twitter.com/CJTFOIR/status/725746687919140864

Update from French MoD for 20-26 April:
[Reports 18 strikes from 20-26 April: 13 ground support strikes – 6 strikes in the areas of Mosul and Sinjar and 7 strikes in along the Euphrates valley; 5 planned strikes – 3 strikes in the Abu Kamal area, Syria and 2 strikes in Iraq, one in the Al Qaim area and the second, a joint strike, in Fallujah, during the night of Sunday 24 to Monday 25 April, destroying important Daesh infrastructure.]

‘Chammal : 18 frappes contre Daech en Irak et en Syrie cette semaine, 25 objectifs détruits

État-major des armées | 23 avril 2016

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the “Pukin’ Dogs” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, launches from the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (US DoD)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4YdRQ0iiWE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgqJuGGKi9Y

April 30th-May 1st 2016
Iraq 26 strikes (8,120-8,145)
Syria 2 strikes (3,843 – 3,844)
Confirmed actions: US
1 civilian alleged killed at Mosul, Nineveh province, Iraq

From CJTF-OIR:
‘On April 30, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted two strikes using attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 26 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and bomber and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

*       Near Mar’a, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.

Iraq

*       Near Al Baghdadi, two strikes destroyed an ISIL mortar system and five ISIL bed down locations.
*       Near Al Qaim, one strike struck an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) facility.
*       Near Albu Hayat, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.
*       Near Bayji, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Fallujah, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL supply cache, and an ISIL front end loader.
*       Near Hit, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL anti-air artillery system, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) site, an ISIL bunker, an ISIL tunnel entrance, and an ISIL VBIED storage facility and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*       Near Kirkuk, two strikes struck two separate large ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, four ISIL assembly areas, five ISIL vehicles, two ISIL VBIEDs, two ISIL mortar positions, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL bunker, and an ISIL supply cache.
*       Near Kisik, one strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Mosul, six strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL mortar systems, two ISIL vehicles, and an ISIL weapons cache.
*       Near Ramadi, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, five ISIL heavy machine guns, four ISIL mortar systems, and an ISIL assembly area.
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike immobilized two ISIL excavators.’

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker while flying over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve April 29, 2016. (US DoD)

Monthly Australian MoD summary for April 2016

ATG Operations

Monthly AFCENT figures for April 2016