July 6th 2015 – On July 5, Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight airstrikes using bomber, remotely piloted and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 11 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

“Coalition airstrikes continue to destroy Daesh vehicle-borne IEDs, the most recent near Kirkuk, Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Gilleran, CJTF-OIR spokesman. “Removing these weapons from the battlefield and the threat they pose to our ISF partners is a high priority for the coalition.”

The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, five airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units, destroying an ISIL tank, six ISIL vehicles, an ISIL building, an ISIL staging position and an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike struck and destroyed an ISIL armored personnel carrier.
• Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying four ISIL fighting positons and an ISIL mortar position.

Iraq

• Near Bayji, one airstrike struck and destroyed an ISIL excavator.
• Near Fallujah, three airstrikes [1 Canadian] struck an ISIL large tactical unit, destroying an ISIL bunker.
• Near Haditha, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL technical vehicle.
• Near Kirkuk, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit, destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL VBIED, an ISIL cache and striking an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Makhmur, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL fighting position and ISIL cache and striking an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Ramadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL excavator and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, and an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL building.

Separately, near Aleppo, Syria, coalition military forces conducted one airstrike against a network of veteran al Qa’ida operatives, sometimes called the “Khorasan Group,” who are known to plot external attacks against the United States and our allies. The airstrike struck a tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

On 5 July 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position southeast of Fallujah using precision guided munitions.

On Sunday 5 July, the GR4s were operating in northern Iraq, and provided support to advancing Kurdish peshmerga when they encountered a series of terrorist heavy machine-gun positions. Two were struck by Brimstone missiles and the third with a Paveway IV.

July 5 2015: Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq July 4. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 26 airstrikes using bomber, attack, remote and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 12 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“The coalition conducted multiple airstrikes in northern Syria to deny Daesh’s freedom to maneuver,” said Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, CJTF-OIR chief of staff. “These strikes provide the forces on the ground the opportunity to act decisively against Daesh.”

The following is a summary of the strikes conducted since the last press release:

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, five airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units, destroying three ISIL vehicles, and four ISIL fighting positions.

• Near Ar Raqqah, 18 airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL vehicles and 16 ISIL bridges.

• Near Kobani, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positons and an ISIL vehicle.

Iraq

• Near Bayji, one airstrike struck an ISIL staging area.

• Near Fallujah, two airstrikes [1 Canadian] struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying an ISIL tunnel entrance, an ISIL heavy machine gun and two ISIL fighting positions.

• Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike destroying a VBIED.

• Near Haditha, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

• Near Makhmur, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL mortar firing position.

• Near Mosul, three airstrikes struck an ISIL mortar firing position, destroying an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL heavy machine gun, four ISIL mortar tubes and an ISIL ammo bunker.

• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL mortar system and an ISIL building.

• Near Tal Afar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL cache and an ISIL building.

On 4 July 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position south east of Fallujah using precision guided munitions.

Coalition Forces successfully engaged multiple targets throughout the ISIL stronghold of ar-Raqqah which have severely constricted terrorist freedom of movement. Sixteen airstrikes were conducted on July 4, destroying vital ISIL-controlled structures and transit routes in Syria.

The operation focused on mobility corridors used by ISIL to project their fighters and military equipment, and to destabilize the region.

These airstrikes, combined with ground force activity throughout northern Syria, are increasing the pressure on ISIL. This pressure comes on the heels of ISIL ceding over 5,000 square kilometers of territory to anti-ISIL forces over the past two months.

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve spokesperson Lt. Col. Thomas Gilleran said the disruption of these transport and communication routes in ISIL’s self-proclaimed Syrian capital were conducted with precision and with the intent to maximize the impacts on ISIL.

“The significant airstrikes tonight were executed to deny Daesh the ability to move military capabilities throughout Syria and into Iraq,” said Gilleran. “This was one of the largest deliberate engagements we have conducted to date in Syria, and it will have debilitating effects on Daesh’s ability to move from ar-Raqqah.”