Monday 26 June – Tornados destroyed a truck-bomb workshop near Al Mayadin in eastern Syria, while Typhoons and Tornados eliminated snipers in Raqqa and Mosul…

The RAF is continuing to support Iraqi forces in their effort to liberate western Mosul. While the operating environment in the city is very challenging, particularly given the closely-packed buildings, very narrow streets, and the density of the urban population, our aircrew have continued to deliver precision strikes in close support of Iraqi troops on the ground. Daesh’s current tactics, including the illegal use of civilians as human shields, and fighting from sites such as schools, hospitals, religious sites and civilian neighbourhoods, increases the risk to innocent life. While no military operations come without risk, particularly in dense urban environments and against such inhuman Daesh tactics, the RAF continues to take all steps necessary to minimise civilian casualties.

Careful intelligence analysis allowed a building on the outskirts of Al Mayadin, in eastern Syria, to be identified as a truck-bomb workshop. A flight of Royal Air Force Tornados struck the target on Monday 26 June, scoring a direct hit with a Paveway IV guided bomb which left the building ablaze. Two mixed pairs of Tornados and Typhoons, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, meanwhile provided close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) pushing into Raqqa and to the Iraqi troops clearing remaining Daesh positions in west Mosul. A Brimstone missile accounted for a sniper team in Raqqa, and a Paveway similarly dealt with snipers in Mosul.

On 25 Jun, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh fighting positions and two Daesh heavy weapon sites with guided munitions over several hours of support.

Sunday 25 June – Tornados attacked a Daesh headquarters and mortar position in eastern Syria…Operations against groups of Daesh extremists outside of Raqqa and Mosul have also been maintained, and on Sunday 25 June, Tornados attacked a headquarters and mortar position in eastern Syria, some 55 miles north-east of Dayr az Zawr.

On June 25, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes consisting of 75 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes consisting of 23 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two ISIS oil storage tanks.

* Near Al Shadaddi, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS-held buildings.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed six ISIS oil storage tanks, four ISIS pump jacks and two ISIS facilities.

* Near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged 12 ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, four vehicles and a tunnel system.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of 52 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Mosul, two strikes [1 Australian] engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, four command and control nodes, four heavy machine guns, two supply caches, two mortar systems, and an ISIS-held building; damaged two fighting positions; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

* Near Samarra, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

Additionally, six strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 24 that closed within the last 24 hours.

* On June 24, near Abu Kamal, Syria, one strike destroyed 25 ISIS oil storage tanks and eight ISIS oil stills.

* On June 24, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed two fighting positions.

* On June 24, near Kisik, Iraq, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed six fighting positions, a weapons cache, a command and control node, a medium machine gun, and a piece of inoperable equipment; and damaged a fighting position.

* On June 24, near Mosul, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.