On June 19, Coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes consisting of 69 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 13 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Raqqah, eight strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 15 fighting positions and a vehicle.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 56 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a supply cache.

* Near Bayji, one strike destroyed two ISIS bunkers.

* Near Mosul, four strikes [1 British? 1 Australian] engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed 36 fighting positions, 10 medium machine guns, four rocket-propelled grenade systems, four mortar systems, a supply cache, a vehicle, and an anti-air artillery system; and damaged 12 fighting positions.

* Near Tuz, one strike destroyed an ISIS supply route.

Additionally, six strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 17-18 that closed within the last 24 hours.

* On June 17, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and two snipers; destroyed two ISIS headquarters, two mortar systems, an anti-air artillery system, a VBIED facility, and an ISIS staging area; and damaged 11 fighting positions.

* On June 18, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroyed eight fighting positions and a mortar system, and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

* On June 18, near Mosul, Iraq, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 30 vehicles, two fighting positions, a rocket-propelled grenade system, and a medium machine gun; and damaged 18 ISIS supply routes.

Monday 19 June – Tornados and Typhoons attacked six targets in Mosul, including Daesh machine-gun and sniper teams, as well as a terrorist weapons stockpile west of Kirkuk…

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.

Flights of Royal Air Force Tornados and Typhoons operated over northern Iraq on Monday 19 June in support of the Iraqi security forces. Our aircraft conducted attacks in Mosul with Paveway IV guided bombs against six Daesh positions which the Iraqi forces had encountered, including a group of snipers and four machine-gun teams. Thirty miles west of Kirkuk, a Daesh weapons stockpile was also destroyed by a Paveway IV.

On 19 Jun, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck three Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions over several hours of support.

Operation OKRA – ADF Airstrikes for the period 02 – 15 June 2017

Over the period 2 Jun – 15 Jun 2017, Air Task Group strike operations focused on supporting Iraqi Security Force operations to clear and secure West Mosul from Daesh forces.

On 2 Jun, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul and Hawijah. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh fighting vehicle and a Daesh fighting position with guided munitions over several hours of support

On 3 Jun, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck three Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions over several hours of support.

On 4 Jun, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck six Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions over several hours of support.

On 6 Jun, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions over several hours of support.

On 7 Jun, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions over several hours of support.

On 9 Jun, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck five Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions over several hours of support.

On 10 Jun, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh heavy weapon site with a guided munition over several hours of support.

On 13 Jun, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck four Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions over several hours of support.

On 14 Jun, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck four Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions over several hours of support.

Coalition shoots down armed UAV in Syria

SOUTHWEST ASIA – A U.S. aircraft shot down an armed pro-Syrian regime Unmanned Aerial Vehicle advancing on Coalition forces in Southern Syria, June 20.

The armed pro-regime Shaheed-129 UAV was shot down by a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle at approximately 12:30 a.m. after it displayed hostile intent and advanced on Coalition forces.

The Coalition forces were manning an established combat outpost to the northeast of At Tanf where they are training and advising partner ground forces in the fight against ISIS. This is the same location where another pro-regime UAV dropped munitions near Coalition forces before it was shot down, June 8.

The F-15E intercepted the armed UAV after it was observed advancing on the Coalition position. When the armed UAV continued to advance on the Coalition position without diverting its course it was shot down.

The Coalition has made it clear to all parties publically and through the de-confliction line with Russian forces that the demonstrated hostile intent and actions of pro-regime forces toward Coalition and partner forces in Syria conducting legitimate counter-ISIS operations will not be tolerated.

There is a de-confliction mechanism in place with Russian forces to reduce uncertainty in this highly contested space and mitigate the chances of strategic miscalculation. Given recent events, the Coalition will not allow pro-regime aircraft to threaten or approach in close proximity to Coalition and partnered forces.

The Coalition presence in Syria addresses the imminent threat ISIS in Syria poses globally. The Coalition does not seek to fight Syrian regime, Russian, or pro-regime forces partnered with them, but will not hesitate to defend Coalition or partner forces from any threat.

The Coalition calls on all parties to focus their efforts on the defeat of ISIS, which is our common enemy and the greatest threat to regional and worldwide peace and security.

Coalition forces killed Turki-al-Bin’ ali

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Coalition forces killed Turki al-Bin’ali, the self-proclaimed “Grand Mufti,” or chief cleric, of ISIS, in an airstrike May 31 in Mayadin, Syria.

Al-Bin’ali had a central role in recruiting foreign terrorist fighters and provoking terrorist attacks around the world. As chief cleric to ISIS since 2014, he provided propaganda to incite murder and other atrocities, attempted to legitimize the creation of the “caliphate,” and was a close confidant of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Leveraging his self-proclaimed religious role, his propaganda writings included the call for terrorists to pledge allegiance to al-Baghdadi as “caliph.” His recruiting efforts for the terror group also included multiple recorded lectures attempting to justify and encouraging the slaughter of innocents.

More information about Al-Bin’ali can be found at:

• https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20160211.aspx

• https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/individual/turki-mubarak-abdullah-ahmad-al-binali

On June 18, Coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes consisting of 89 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes consisting of 20 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed two ISIS well heads.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed nine ISIS oil stills.

* Near Raqqah, 12 strikes [1 or more British] engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed four vehicles, two fighting positions, two mortar systems, a VBIED, a tactical vehicle, and a heavy machine gun.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 69 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Bayji, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS staging area and a weapons cache.

* Near Kisik, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a front-end loader and an anti-air artillery system.

* Near Mosul, four strikes [1 British, 1 Australian] engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed 30 fighting positions, five medium machine guns, three mortar systems, two supply caches, and a rocket-propelled grenade system; damaged six ISIS supply routes and a tunnel; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.

Additionally, 15 strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 17 that closed within the last 24 hours.

* On June 17, near Raqqah, Syria, 13 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, two command and control nodes, a VBIED, a tunnel, and a sniper position.

* On June 17, near Kisik, Iraq, one strike damaged four fighting positions.

* On June 17, near Mosul, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 22 vehicles, two command and control nodes, a VBIED, and an artillery system; and damaged five ISIS supply routes.

Sunday 18 June – A Reaper destroyed a car-bomb and a mortar team in Raqqa, while Tornados and Typhoons engaged ten positions in Mosul…A Reaper patrolled over Raqqa on Sunday 18 June. Its crew successfully spotted a Daesh mortar team and provided targeting assistance to a coalition air strike against them. The Reaper’s crew then used Hellfire missiles to destroy a car-bomb and a second mortar team who were spotted in the act of firing at the SDF. The same day, Tornados and Typhoons were very active over Mosul. A Brimstone was used to target a group of terrorists engaged in a close-quarters firefight with Iraqi troops, while Paveways accounted for nine more targets, including two machine-gun teams, multiple snipers, and extremists armed with rocket-propelled grenades.

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