Saturday 14 October – a Reaper engaged one group of terrorists near Dayr az Zawr, and assisted coalition air strikes on two more targets…On Saturday 14 October, a Reaper successfully engaged one small group of terrorists with a Hellfire, then provided support to two air strikes on further extremists operating on foot nearby.

Raqqah Civil Council and Tribal Elders Arrange Civilian Evacuation to Reduce Civilian Casualties

SOUTHWEST ASIA – A convoy of vehicles is staged to depart Raqqah Oct. 14 under an arrangement brokered by the Raqqah Civil Council and local Arab tribal elders Oct. 12.

The arrangement is designed to minimize civilian casualties and purportedly excludes foreign Daesh terrorists as people trapped in the city continue to flee the impending fall of Daesh’s so-called capital.

People departing Raqqah under the arrangement are subject to search and screening by Syrian Democratic Forces.

The Coalition was not involved in the discussions that led to the arrangement, but believes it will save innocent lives and allow Syrian Democratic Forces and the Coalition to focus on defeating Daesh terrorists in Raqqah with less risk of civilian casualties.

“We do not condone any arrangement that allows Daesh terrorists to escape Raqqah without facing justice, only to resurface somewhere else. We remain concerned about the thousands of civilians in Raqqah who remain subject to Daesh cruelty,” said Coalition Director of Operations Brig. Gen. Jonathan Braga. “Daesh terrorists have been hiding behind women and children for three years, and we are against any arrangement that lets them continue to do so.”

On Oct. 13, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of four engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 3 strikes consisting of 3 engagements against ISIS targets.
• Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed one ISIS HQ structure.
• Near Al Shadaddi, two strikes engaged one ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions and one logistics node.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of one engagement against ISIS targets.
• Near Al Qaim one strike destroyed one ISIS communications infrastructure.

Additionally, 7 strikes consisting of 10 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Oct. 12 that closed within the last 24 hours.
• Near Al Qaim, Iraq, two strikes destroyed one ISIS VBIED factory and one HQ structure.
• Near Ramadi, Iraq, one strike destroyed one ISIS camp.
• Near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed three ISIS lines of communication and one fighting position.

Friday 13 October – a Reaper destroyed a mortar being fired north-east of Dayr az Zawr, and supported a coalition air strike in the same area…A Reaper was again in action north-east of Dayr az Zawr on Friday 13 October; its crew observed a mortar being fired from a compound and scored a direct on the position with a Hellfire. The Reaper’s crew then provided surveillance support to a coalition air strike on another position in the area.

Chammal : aviateurs et marins ensemble au combat

Mise à jour : 13/10/2017

Depuis le 26 septembre 2017, quatre Rafale Marine ont été déployés sur la base aérienne projetée au Levant, aux côtés de quatre Rafale Air. Ce détachement de Rafale air et marine est le troisième et dernier plot mixte de l’année qui n’a pas tardé pour faire ses débuts sur le théâtre d’opérations.

Ainsi, le week-end du 30 septembre et 1er octobre 2017, la première patrouille composée de deux Rafale Air et de deux Rafale Marine a décollé depuis la Base Aérienne Projetée au Levant afin de frapper l’un des derniers bastions de Daech sur l’Euphrate.

Les multiples frappes simultanées ont permis de neutraliser un poste de commandement de Daech dans la région de Rawah ; un nouveau coup important porté aux capacités sur zone de l’ennemi, permettant la progression des troupes irakiennes au sol et la reconquête de leur territoire.

Au sein de la base aérienne projetée comme dans les airs, l’interopérabilité des aviateurs et des marins est totale, garantissant une efficacité maximale. Pilotes, mécaniciens, armuriers ou fusiliers ont de suite trouvé leurs marques pour permettre aux premières patrouilles d’agir rapidement pour assurer leurs missions d’appui aérien ou de frappes planifiées sur l’ensemble de la zone d’opérations.

Si les Rafale Marine et Air diffèrent sensiblement d’un point de vue technique, c’est la mission qui rassemble aviateurs et marins : défaire Daech. Sur le théâtre d’opération Chammal, une excellente entente au quotidien traduit l’échange de culture entre les armées, et scelle le début du dernier plot mixte de l’année 2017 sur la Base Aérienne Projetée au Levant.

Lancée depuis le 19 septembre 2014, l’opération Chammal représente la participation française à l’opération Inherent Resolve et mobilise aujourd’hui près de 1 200 militaires. A la demande du gouvernement irakien et en coordination avec les alliés de la France présents dans la région, l’opération Chammal repose sur deux piliers complémentaires : un pilier « formation » au profit d’unités de sécurité nationales irakiennes et un pilier « appui » consistant à soutenir l’action des forces locales engagées au sol contre Daech et à frapper les capacités militaires du groupe terroriste.

On Oct. 12, Coalition military forces conducted 29 strikes consisting of 29 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 27 strikes consisting of 27 engagements against ISIS targets.
*Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed one vehicle.
*Near Ar Raqqah, 25 strikes [2 British?] engaged nine ISIS tactical units, suppressed one fighting position, destroyed two communications nodes, 10 fighting positions, one vehicle and one ISIS supply road.
*Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike engaged one ISIS tactical unit.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against ISIS targets.
*Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed a VBIED factory.
*Near Haditha, one strike engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle and a heavy machine gun.

Additionally, 12 strikes consisting of 13 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Oct. 10-11 that closed within the last 24 hours.
*On Oct. 11 near Ar Raqqah, Syria, eight strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four ISIS communication lines, two communications nodes and a fighting position.
*On Oct. 11 near Rawah, Iraq, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and an ISIS-held building.
*On Oct. 10 near Rawah, Iraq, two strikes destroying four ISIS supply routes, a command and control node and an ISIS-held building.

Thursday 12 October – Tornados struck two Daesh-held buildings in Raqqah, and bombed a terrorist camp in the western Iraqi desert…On Thursday 12 October, over western Iraq, another Tornado flight dropped four Paveways on a Daesh camp in the desert, some 60 miles south-west of Ramadi….This included two Tornado GR4s providing close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqah on Thursday 12 October. A Paveway IV guided bomb was deployed to target the upper storeys of a building from which a Daesh sniper was firing, and a second weapon struck another building from which terrorists were engaged in a combat with the SDF.

On Oct. 11, Coalition military forces conducted 31 strikes consisting of 39 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 27 strikes consisting of 33 engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed one ISIS vehicle.
•Near Ar Raqqah, 24 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, damaged nine fighting positions, destroyed 11 fighting positions, 12 vehicles, two communication nodes and one ISIS supply route.
•Near Al Shadaddai, two strikes destroyed an ISIS HQ and one staging area.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Al Qaim, three strikes destroyed an ISIS training camp and staging area.
•Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a VBIED and three ISIS supply routes.

Additionally, two strikes consisting of six engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Oct. 10 that closed within the last 24 hours.
• Near Ar Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.
• Near Rawah, Iraq, one strike destroyed a VBIED, an ISIS fuel tanker and a vehicle.

On Oct. 10, Coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes consisting of 22 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of eight engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two ISIS vehicles and two trailers.
•Near Ash Shaddadi, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and an armored vehicle.
•Near Raqqah, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed a logistical node.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 14 engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Al Qaim, three strikes destroyed an ISIS fuel point, a weapons cache, four ISIS-held buildings, and 36 vehicles.
•Near Rawa, five strikes [1-2 Australian] engaged two ISIS tactical unit, damaged a supply route and destroyed seven VBIEDs, a VBIED factory, a heavy machine gun, an ISIS-held building, and a vehicle.

Additionally, four strikes consisting of 15 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Oct. 9 that closed within the last 24 hours.
•Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, and destroyed two headquarters structures, a logistics node, and a fighting position.
•Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed two ISIS weapons storage facilities, a VBIED factory, six staging areas and a headquarters structure.

On 10 Oct 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Rawah. The Australian aircraft struck two Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED) and two Daesh defensive positions with guided munitions.

Tuesday 10 October – a Reaper engaged a machine-gun position and an armoured truck manned by terrorists north-east of Dayr az Zawr…The following day [Oct 10th], a further Reaper armed reconnaissance mission identified a terrorist setting up a machine-gun position; he was killed by a Hellfire shortly after he opened fire. The Reaper’s crew used a second Hellfire to destroy an armoured truck manned by several Daesh extremists, again to the north-east of Dayr az Zawr.

Operation OKRA – ADF Airstrikes for the period 22 Sep – 05 Oct 17

Over the period 22 Sep – 05 Oct 17, Air Task Group strike operations focused on supporting Iraqi Security Force operations to clear and secure Ramadi, Rawah, Hawijah, Kirkuk, Al Qaim and Bayji from Daesh forces.

On 23 Sep 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Rawah. The Australian aircraft struck three Daesh Boats with guided munitions.

On 24 Sep 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Hawijah. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh VBIED (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device), two Daesh defensive positions and a Daesh earth moving vehicle with guided munitions.

On 25 Sep 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Hawijah. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh VBIED and a Daesh defensive position with guided munitions.

On 26 Sep 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Kirkuk, Hawijah and Al Qaim. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh building containing an Improvised Explosive Device, two Daesh defensive positions and a Daesh vehicle with guided munitions.

On 30 Sep 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Hawijah and Bayji. The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh defensive positions with guided munitions.

On 02 Oct 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Kirkuk. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh defensive position with a guided munition.

On 05 Oct 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Hawijah. The Australian aircraft struck four Daesh VBIEDs with guided munitions.

On Oct. 9, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes consisting of 15 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of five engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed a vehicle and a weapons storage facility.
•Near Al Shaddai, one strike destroyed an ISIS VBIED and a fighting position.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes against ISIS targets consisting of 10 engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Al Qaim, two strikes destroyed an ISIS IED and an ISIS-held building.
•Near Haditha, three strikes destroyed an ISIS IED and a supply road.
•Near Rawah, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters.
•Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike destroyed an ISIS supply road.

Additionally, 3 strikes consisting of 4 engagements were conducted in Syria on Oct. 8 that closed within the last 24 hours.
•Near Raqqah, 2 strikes damaged an ISIS fighting position; and disrupted a line of communication.
•Near Al Shadaddi, one strike damaged an ISIS VBIED.

On 09Oct 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Rawah.The Australian aircraft struck two Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED), and a Daesh VBIED facility with guided munitions.

Monday 9 October – a Reaper destroyed a large truck-bomb north-east of Dayr az Zawr in Syria, and assisted a coalition air strike nearby…

The Syrian Democratic Forces, supported by the Coalition, continue to make good progress towards the fall of Raqqah, having now cleared around 90% of the city. The RAF have played a pivotal role in this, striking 213 targets in and around Raqqah since the start of the SDF offensive. This included two Tornado GR4s providing close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqah on Thursday 12 October. A Paveway IV guided bomb was deployed to target the upper storeys of a building from which a Daesh sniper was firing, and a second weapon struck another building from which terrorists were engaged in a combat with the SDF.

Elsewhere, an area some twenty miles north-east of Dayr az Zawr remained a key focus for Royal Air Force Reaper patrols supporting the operations of the SDF in the area. On Monday 9 October, a Reaper spotted a concealed truck-bomb, which allowed a coalition fast jet to destroy it with an accurate strike. The Reaper then dealt with a second such truck-bomb using its own Hellfire missiles, which resulted in a very large secondary explosion when the vehicle was hit, proving the presence of explosives.

In Syria, on Oct. 8, Coalition military forces conducted 25 strikes consisting of 30 engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.
•Near Raqqah, 24 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed 15 fighting positions, 11 vehicles, one VBIED, one machine gun, and four command and control networks.

In Iraq, on Oct. 8, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Al Qaim, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed one vehicle.
•Near Huwijah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.
•Near Rawah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three staging areas, a headquarters and a vehicle.

On Oct 7-8, Coalition military forces conducted 95 strikes consisting of 109 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, on Oct. 7, Coalition military forces conducted 53 strikes consisting of 56 engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS tactical unit and a vehicle.
•Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS command and control network.
•Near Raqqah, 51 strikes [1 British?] engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 50 fighting positions, a tactical vehicle, six vehicles, one VBIED, and four command and control networks.

In Iraq, on Oct. 7, Coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes against ISIS targets consisting of 16 engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Al Qaim, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a headquarters and a vehicle.
•Near Bashir, one strike destroyed an ISIS tactical vehicle.
•Near Hit, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a tunnel system.
•Near Rawah, four strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters, a VBIED and a weapons cache.
•Near Tuz, one strike destroyed four ISIS-held buildings.
•Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

Additionally, 25 strikes consisting of 31 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Oct. 5-6.
•On Oct 5, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike damaged an ISIS fighting position.
•On Oct 6 near Al Huwayjah, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.
•On Oct. 6, near Raqqah, Syria 23 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 17 fighting positions, six vehicles, a VBIED, and an ISIS supply road.

On 07 Oct 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Ramadi. The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh defensive positions with guided munitions.

Saturday 7 October – Typhoons destroyed three Daesh positions in Raqqa…On Saturday 7 October, Typhoons also operated over Raqqa, and bombed three further terrorist positions in the north-west of the city.

On Oct.6, Coalition military forces conducted 26 strikes consisting of 40 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes consisting of 24 engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.
•Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes [1 British?] engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroyed a defensive fighting position, a heavy machine gun and a vehicle.
•Near Raqqah, 17 strikes [1 British?] engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed a command and control node, seven fighting positions, two vehicles, and two communications infrastructures, and a VBIED; damaged two fighting positions, two communication infrastructures, two ISIS supply routes and suppressed one fighting position.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of 16 engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed a VIED.
•Near Bashir, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a weapons cache.
•Near Huwijah, one strike [1 Aus?] engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and a road block.
•Near Taji, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.
•Near Rawah, two strikes engaged two improvised bridges and destroyed an ISIS building.

Additionally, 11 strikes consisting of 11 engagements were conducted in Syria on Oct. 5, that closed within the last 24 hours.

•On Oct. 5, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike engaged a fighting position.
•On Oct. 5, near Raqqah, Syria, 10 strikes disrupted three ISIS supply routes, damaged five fighting positions, destroyed one fighting position, and suppressed one fighting position and one ISIS tactical unit.

On 06 Oct 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operationsin the vicinity ofHawijah.The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh defensive positions with guided munitions.

Friday 6 October – a Reaper hit three groups of extremists near Dayr az Zawr, whilst Tornados eliminated another group inside Raqqa…The following day [Oct 6th], a Reaper again patrolled north-east of Dayr az Zawr; its crew delivered attacks with Hellfire missiles on three groups of terrorists, including one manning a heavy weapon, and also supported two further strikes by coalition aircraft. Two Tornados supported the Syrian Democratic Forces inside Raqqa as they cleared remaining terrorist positions in the north-west of the city. Despite the SDF being very close to the target, the Tornados delivered a precision attack with a Paveway on a Daesh group firing from a building.

On 05 Oct 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Hawijah. The Australian aircraft struck four Daesh VBIEDs with guided munitions.

Thursday 5 October – Typhoons attacked a terrorist base in eastern Syria…Intelligence had confirmed that a group of three buildings in eastern Syria, some forty miles south-east of Hasakah and close to a border crossing into Iraq, was being used as a base by Daesh. Two Typhoons conducted a carefully planned attack on Thursday 5 October, each of the three buildings being struck with a Paveway IV.