On March 8, U.S. and Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria, using fighter aircraft to conduct five airstrikes. Separately, U.S. and Coalition military forces conducted nine airstrikes in Iraq, using attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists. All strikes took place between 8 a.m., March 8, and 8 a.m., March 9, local time. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Kobani, five airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL modular oil refinery and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.

Iraq

* Near Al Qaim, an airstrike struck an ISIL staging area.

* Near Fallujah, four airstrikes struck two ISIL large tactical units, an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed nine ISIL vehicles,two ISIL buildings [VIDEO], two ISIL armored vehicles and an ISIL storage facility.

* Near Haditha, an airstrike [Canadian?] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL fighting position.

* Near Kirkuk, two airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL bunker.

* Near Tal Afar, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL excavator.

Separately, near Aleppo on March 8 U.S. military forces attacked with bomber aircraft a staging area of a network of veteran al Qa’ida operatives sometimes called the “Khorasan Group,” who are plotting external attacks against the United States and our allies. The airstrike struck a large tactical unit and destroyed four buildings and three tents.

On Sunday 8 March, a Reaper armed reconnaissance patrol provided surveillance for a coalition attack on an armed terrorist truck, then conducted an Hellfire attack on a second vehicle.

On March 7, U.S. military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria, using bomber aircraft to conduct an airstrike. Separately, U.S. and Coalition military forces conducted 12 airstrikes in Iraq, using attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists. All strikes took place between 8 a.m., March 7, and 8 a.m., March 8, local time. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Kobani, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions.

Iraq

* Near Al Huwayjah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed six ISIL excavators and an ISIL fighting position.

* Near Fallujah, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, an ISIL fighting position and destroyed three ISIL vehicles.

* Near Haditha, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL mortar tube and an ISIL vehicle.

* Near Kirkuk, an airstrike [Canadian] struck multiple ISIL fighting positions.

* Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL excavators.

* Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL IED factory and an ISIL tactical unit.

One CJTF-OIR Canadian Soldier was killed in a friendly fire incident during an Advise & Assist mission with Kurdish Security Forces supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in Northern Iraq on March 6. Sgt. Andrew Joseph Doiron was a member of the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, based at Garrison Petawawa, Ontario. “The Combined Joint Task Force wishes to express heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of our Canadian brother,” said Lt. Gen. James L. Terry, CJTF commander. “His loss is felt across the Coalition and we honor him for the way he valiantly served in order to preserve basic human rights of people everywhere.”

Three other Canadian Soldiers were wounded in the incident and are being treated for their injuries. One was transported to Landstuhl, Germany for further medical care. This incident is under investigation.

On 7 March 2015, while taking part in coalition missions in support of Iraqi security forces ground operations conducted south of Kirkuk, CF-188 Hornets successfully struck ISIL fighting positions using precision guided munitions.