On Sept. 12, Coalition military forces conducted 65 strikes consisting of 76 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 62 strikes consisting of 64 engagements against ISIS targets.

• Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed a VBIED facility.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes [1 British] engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, two VBIEDs, a VBIED facility and a logistics node.

• Near Raqqah, 56 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 56 fighting positions, three logistics nodes, and two vehicles; and suppressed a fighting position.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of 12 engagements against ISIS targets.

• Near Hawijah, three strikes destroyed six ISIS tunnels.

Additionally, 18 strikes consisting of 31 engagements were conducted in Syria on Sept. 11 that closed within the last 24 hours.

• On Sept. 11, near Al Shadaddi, one strike destroyed an ISIS staging area.

• On Sept. 11, near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed four ISIS fighting positions.

• On Sept. 11, near Raqqah, 16 strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed 17 fighting positions and a logistics node.

Tuesday 12 September – a Reaper successfully guided a coalition airstrike onto a truck-bomb workshop near Dayr az Zawr…The following day [Sept 12th], a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft operated in the same area near Dayr az Zawr, and provided precision targeting that enabled a coalition air strike to destroy a truck-bomb workshop and a vehicle that was being prepared there.

On 12 Sep 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Bayji. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh heavy weapons site with guided munitions.

On Sept. 11, Coalition military forces conducted 41 strikes consisting of 50 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 38 strikes consisting of 42 engagements against ISIS targets.

•Near Dayr Az Zawr, seven strikes [1 British?] engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles, a tactical vehicle, a VBIED, and a fighting position.

•Near Raqqah, 31 strikes [1 British] engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positions, 17 vehicles, three logistics nodes, an ISIS headquarters, an IED, and a command and control node.

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

•Near Bayji, one strike destroyed four ISIS tunnel entrances.

•Near Hawijah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a command and control node and four tunnels.

•Near Rawah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two ISIS-held buildings.

Additionally, 15 strikes consisting of 21 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 10 that closed within the last 24 hours.

•On Sept. 10, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

•On Sept. 10, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed 14 vehicles, three fighting positions, a logistics node, and an anti-air artillery system; and suppressed a fighting position.

•On Sept. 10, near Hawijah, Iraq, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two vehicles and an ISIS headquarters.

•On Sept. 10, near Rawah, Iraq, one strike destroyed three ISIS-held buildings.

Monday 11 September – Tornados destroyed two sniper positions in Raqqa, and attacked a Daesh-held compound and terrorists on a motorcycle near Dayr az Zawr…A flight of Royal Air Force Tornados supported the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting in Raqqa on Monday 11 September, when Paveway IV guided bombs were used to destroy two sniper positions. A second Tornado flight patrolled north-east of Dayr az Zawr, where they attacked a group of terrorists in a compound with a Paveway IV. Survivors of the attack then attempted to move to another position on a motorcycle, but were successfully engaged with a Brimstone missile.

On Sept. 9-10, Coalition military forces conducted 78 strikes consisting of 91 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, on Sept. 9, Coalition military forces conducted 38 strikes consisting of 42 engagements against ISIS targets.

•Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS headquarters.
•Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions and a vehicle.
•Near Raqqah, 34 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed 21 fighting positions, 16 vehicles, four heavy machine guns, two command and control nodes, a logistics node, and engineering equipment; and suppressed six fighting positions.

In Iraq, on Sept. 9, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 15 engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Al Huwayjah, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two command and control nodes, two weapons caches, a vehicle, an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS-held building.
•Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed an ISIS staging area.
•Near Rawah, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed seven command and control nodes, a VBIED, an ISIS-held building, and a vehicle.

In Syria, on Sept. 10, Coalition military forces conducted 26 strikes consisting of 28 engagements against ISIS targets.

•Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed a VBIED factory.
•Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS UAS, a VBIED facility, a VBIED, a vehicle and a tactical vehicle.
•Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, two logistics nodes, and a vehicle; and suppressed two fighting positions.

In Iraq, on Sept. 10, Coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets.

•Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two vehicles.
•Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed an explosives factory.
•Near Rutbah, two strikes destroyed an ISIS training camp and a VBIED facility.
•Near Rawah, one strike destroyed two command and control nodes.

Additionally, 20 strikes consisting of 32 engagements were conducted in Syria on Sept. 8 that closed within the last 48 hours.
•On Sept. 8, near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 vehicles, six logistics nodes, four fighting positions, and an IED; and suppressed three fighting positions.

Operation OKRA – ADF Airstrikes for the period 25 Aug – 07 Sep 17

Over the period 25 Aug – 07 Sep 17, Air Task Group strike operations focused on supporting Iraqi Security Force operations to clear and secure Tikrit, Tal Afar, Avghani, and Al Qaim from Daesh forces.

On 26 Aug 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Tikrit. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh House Borne Improvised Explosive Device (HBIED) with guided munitions.

On 27 Aug 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), a Daesh logistics vehicle and two Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions.

On 28 Aug 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Avghani. The Australian aircraft struck ten Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions.

On 29 Aug 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Avghani. The Australian aircraft struck thirteen Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions.

On 30 Aug 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Avghani. The Australian aircraft struck seven Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions.

On 1 Sep 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Al Qaim. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh; command and control facility, munitions storage and logistic facility with guided munitions.

On Sept. 9-10, Coalition military forces conducted 78 strikes consisting of 91 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, on Sept. 9, Coalition military forces conducted 38 strikes consisting of 42 engagements against ISIS targets.

•Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS headquarters.
•Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes [1 British] engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions and a vehicle.
•Near Raqqah, 34 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed 21 fighting positions, 16 vehicles, four heavy machine guns, two command and control nodes, a logistics node, and engineering equipment; and suppressed six fighting positions.

In Iraq, on Sept. 9, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 15 engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Al Huwayjah, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two command and control nodes, two weapons caches, a vehicle, an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS-held building.
•Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed an ISIS staging area.
•Near Rawah, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed seven command and control nodes, a VBIED, an ISIS-held building, and a vehicle.

In Syria, on Sept. 10, Coalition military forces conducted 26 strikes consisting of 28 engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed a VBIED factory.
•Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS UAS, a VBIED facility, a VBIED, a vehicle and a tactical vehicle.
•Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, two logistics nodes, and a vehicle; and suppressed two fighting positions.

In Iraq, on Sept. 10, Coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of six engagements against ISIS targets.
•Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two vehicles.
•Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed an explosives factory.
•Near Rutbah, two strikes destroyed an ISIS training camp and a VBIED facility.
•Near Rawah, one strike destroyed two command and control nodes.

Additionally, 20 strikes consisting of 32 engagements were conducted in Syria on Sept. 8 that closed within the last 48 hours.
•On Sept. 8, near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 vehicles, six logistics nodes, four fighting positions, and an IED; and suppressed three fighting positions.

Saturday 9 September – a Reaper destroyed a motorcycle and trailer carrying three terrorists north-east of Dayr az Zawr… The following day [Sept 9th], another Reaper flew a further patrol in the same area of Syria, and tracked a group of three terrorists on a motorcycle and trailer. The Reaper’s crew waited patiently until the targets were in open countryside before firing a Hellfire which scored a direct hit.

On 09 Sep 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Anah. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh VBIED (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devi ce) with a guided munition.

On Sept. 8, Coalition military forces conducted 43 strikes consisting of 47 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 40 strikes consisting of 40 engagements against ISIS targets.

• Near Raqqah, 40 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positons, four logistics node, two vehicles, an ISIS communication line, a mortar system, a command and control node and suppressed four fighting positions.

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

•Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed a VBIED facility.
•Near Bashir, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a command and control node.
•Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a VBIED.

Additionally, 34 strikes consisting of 46 engagements were conducted in Syria on Aug. 23 and Sept.3-7 that closed within the last 24 hours.

•On Aug. 23, near Raqqah, one strike suppressed a fighting position.
•On Sept. 3, near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed two command and control nodes, a logistics node, a fighting position and suppressed a fighting position.
•On Sept. 4, near Raqqah, two strikes destroyed four fighting positions.
•On Sept. 5, near Raqqah, one strike destroyed a fighting position.
•On Sept. 6, near Raqqah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node.
•On Sept. 7, near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS tactical unit and a vehicle.
•On Sept. 7, near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles and an ISIS communication line.
•On Sept. 7, near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 15 fighting positions, 15 vehicles, four VBIEDs and suppressed four fighting positions.

Friday 8 September – a Reaper killed two terrorists setting up an ambush north-east of Dayr az Zawr in Syria, and eliminated another group in a small building nearby…A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft conducted armed reconnaissance over a largely desert area some twenty miles north-east of Dayr az Zawr on Friday 8 September. Two terrorists were tracked on a motorcycle as they collected weapons and headed out to set up an apparent ambush position. They were both killed by a single Hellfire missile. Not far away, another small group of terrorists were seen entering a small building, and also eliminated with a Hellfire.

Chammal : la Task Force Wagram appui les soldats irakiens dans la bataille de Tal Afar.

Mise à jour : 08/09/2017

Le 20 août 2017 à l’aube les coups de canons français ont lancé, avec les autres capacités d’appui irakiennes et de la Coalition, le signal de l’offensive pour libérer la ville de Tal Afar. Onze jours plus tard, le 31 août 2017, la libération de la ville est officialisée par le Premier Ministre irakien, Haïder al-Abadi. Pour appuyer au mieux les forces de sécurité irakiennes, la TF Wagram s’est redéployée sur le terrain et a conduit de nombreuses missions au profit des forces de sécurité irakiennes pour la reprise de la ville.

Pour fournir un appui répondant aux besoins opérationnels, la TF Wagram a été scindée en deux groupements d’artillerie. Avec une portée de près de 40km, les canons CAESAR disposent de capacités qui permettent de fournir une permanence d’appuis, de délivrer des tirs dans un délai très rapide et d’obtenir des effets diversifiés au profit d’une manœuvre d’ensemble.

Effectuées sur demande ou à l’initiative des forces armées irakiennes qui combattent au sol, les actions de la TF Wagram se sont inscrites dans la manœuvre d’ensemble d’appui-feu de la Coalition, comprenant également l’action des avions et des drones. La bataille de Tal Afar a été pour les artilleurs français l’opportunité de remplir un large panel des missions de l’artillerie.

Au commencement de la bataille, ils ont appuyé les soldats irakiens en délivrant des tirs fumigènes afin de masquer leur progression et de surprendre l’ennemi. Ces tirs ont été complété par des tirs éclairants dans le but d’empêcher ou de dissuader les infiltrations ou les contre-attaque ennemies.

L’action s’est poursuivi en appuyant les troupes irakiennes dans la profondeur afin de cloisonner l’ennemi, c’est-à-dire de le priver de sa liberté de circulation et d’action, puis en le harcelant dans le but de maintenir la pression sur ses combattants.

Pour finir, la supériorité des feux de la Coalition a permis de neutraliser les moyens artillerie de Daech ainsi que la logistique de l’organisation terroriste, en privant ses combattants de ravitaillement et de moyens.

Au cours de ces 11 jours de combat, la TF Wagram a conduit 90 missions, de jour comme de nuit, en étroite coordination et en totale complémentarité avec l’artillerie américaine et les moyens aériens de la Coalition.

Depuis septembre 2016, La Task Force Wagram déployée en Irak complète les moyens aériens du pilier « appui ». Forte de 150 militaires armant quatre canons CAESAR, elle soutient l’action des troupes irakiennes engagées au sol dans les combats contre Daech. Après avoir été déployés à proximité de Mossoul, les artilleurs français appuient désormais les unités irakiennes engagées dans la reprise de Tal Afar.

Lancée depuis le 19 septembre 2014, l’opération Chammal représente la participation française à l’OIR (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 au travers de la Task Force Wagram et à frapper les capacités militaires du groupe terroriste à l’aide du système d’armes Rafale.

On Sept. 7, Coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes consisting of 23 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 12 engagements against ISIS targets.

•Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters.
•Near Raqqah, 11 strikes [1 British?] destroyed 11 ISIS fighting positions and a command and control node and suppressed three fighting positions.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 11 engagements against ISIS targets.

•Near Al Huwayjah, three strikes [1 British] engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two command and control nodes, a vehicle, a VBIED storage facility, and a staging area.
•Near Al Qaim, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.
•Near Rawah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four command and control nodes and a staging area.

Additionally, 39 strikes consisting of 42 engagements were conducted in Syria on Sept. 6 that closed within the last 24 hours.

•On Sept. 6, near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.
•On Sept. 6, near Raqqah, 38 strikes engaged 19 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 35 fighting positions, three vehicles, two logistics nodes, a command and control node, a VBIED, and an ISIS UAS; and suppressed eight fighting positions.

On 07 Sep 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi Security Forces during operations in the vicinity of Anah. The Australian aircraft struck Daesh defensive position s and a Daesh logistics vehicle with guided munitions.

Thursday 7 September – Tornados destroyed a truck, a fuel depot and a terrorist accommodation block in northern Iraq, whilst Typhoons attacked a machine-gun team in Raqqa…On Thursday 7 September, Tornados patrolled over northern Iraq. A couple of miles north-east of Hawijah, a truck carrying a group of extremists was successfully targeted using a Brimstone missile. Our aircraft were then tasked with the destruction of a fuel depot near Sharqat where Daesh had been spotted refuelling truck-bombs, as well as a nearby accommodation block used by the terrorists. Both were struck with Paveway IVs. Over Raqqa, Typhoons flew further close support missions for the Syrian Democratic Forces, bombing successfully a light machine-gun position.

On Sept. 6, Coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes consisting of 30 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

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

•Near Raqqah, eight strikes [1 British] destroyed 13 ISIS fighting positions, damaged five fighting positions and suppressed two fighting positions.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 15 engagements against ISIS targets.

•Near Al Huwayjah, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five oil stills, two ISIS-held buildings, two ISIS headquarters, and a front-end loader.

•Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed two ISIS front-end loaders.

•Near Anah, two strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters and an ISIS communication node.

•Near Rawah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building.

Additionally, 41 strikes consisting of 47 engagements were conducted in Syria on Sept. 3-5 that closed within the last 24 hours.

•On Sept. 3, near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions.

•On Sept. 4, near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions and a vehicle.

•On Sept. 5, near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed 42 ISIS fuel trucks, four front-end loaders and four tactical vehicles.

•On Sept. 5, near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed 15 fighting positions, two vehicles, an IED, and a piece of ISIS engineering equipment.

Wednesday 6 September – Typhoons struck a further two Daesh positions in Raqqa…Typhoons continued operations over Raqqa on Wednesday 6 September, eliminating a further machine-gun position and a sniper.

OPÉRATION CHAMMAL

SITUATION

En Irak

La semaine a été marquée par la poursuite des opérations de sécurisation de Tal Afar et de sa région. Elle a également été marquée par un début de ré-articulation du dispositif des Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes dans le Nord de l’Irak, en vue de poursuivre le combat contre Daech en Irak.

Le groupe terroriste reste très actif en Irak et avec de solides positions dans les régions d’Hawijah et de l’Anbar, où ses combattants poursuivent leurs actions asymétriques contre les forces de sécurité et les populations.

En Syrie

À Raqqah, les Forces Démocratiques Syriennes se sont emparées de l’ensemble de la vieille ville, et poursuivent leur offensive pour s’emparer des quartiers encore aux mains de Daech. Ailleurs en Syrie, Daech continue de perdre du terrain face aux Forces Armées Syriennes qui poursuivent leurs avancées, notamment dans les régions de Deir ez Zor et de Palmyre.

Un nouveau chef de la Coalition

Le 5 septembre le commandement de l’opération OIR a été pris par le général américain Paul FUNK en remplacement du général américain Stephen TOWNSEND.

ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE

Les soldats de l’opération Chammal poursuivent leurs missions d’appui au profit des unités irakiennes engagées contre Daech. Ils réalisent également, au quotidien, des formations pour contribuer à bâtir le pilier sécuritaire des forces irakiennes.

Action du volet aérien :

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 36 sorties aériennes dont 27 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), 6 sorties de ravitaillement ainsi que 3 sorties de recueil de renseignement par Atlantique 2 ou patrouille de Rafale.

Ces sorties ont donné lieu à la réalisation de 7 frappes et à la destruction de 8 objectifs. Les frappes réalisées ont majoritairement été conduites en appui des combats à Raqqah et des opérations de sécurisation de la région de Tal Afar.

Appui feu – TF WAGRAM :

La Task Force (TF) Wagram a appuyé cette semaine les opérations de sécurisation menées par les Forces de Sécurité Irakiennes dans la région de Tall Afar.

Les canons CAESAR ont mené 6 missions de tir (4 de neutralisation / destruction et 2 d’éclairement).

Activité aérienne :

Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1363 frappes, 2138 objectifs détruits et 7058 sorties.

On Sept. 5, Coalition military forces conducted 32 strikes consisting of 41 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 27 strikes consisting of 36 engagements against ISIS targets.

•Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and a staging area.

•Near Raqqah, 25 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 22 fighting positions, three ISIS communications infrastructure items, and a logistics node; damaged three fighting positions; and suppressed four fighting positions.

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

•Near Al Huwayjah, three strikes destroyed four ISIS-held buildings and two ISIS headquarters.

•Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed an ISIS staging area.

•Near Rawah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building.

Additionally, 13 strikes consisting of 20 engagements were conducted in Syria on Sept. 2-4 that closed within the last 24 hours.

•On Sept. 2, near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions.

•On Sept. 3, near Raqqah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions.

•On Sept. 4, near Raqqah, one strike destroyed five fighting positions.

CJTF-OIR transitions commanders in the mission to destroy ISIS

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, III Armored Corps Commanding General, assumed command of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) from Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, XVIII Airborne Corps Commanding General, during a Sept. 5 ceremony here, which hosted an audience of hundreds of U.S. and Coalition Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.

Presiding over the transfer of authority ceremony was the Commanding General for U.S. Central Command, Gen. Joseph L. Votel.

Votel expressed confidence that the III Corps team from Fort Hood, Texas will be ready to continue the fight to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

“When III Corps was here last, they were instrumental in greatly increasing the pressure on ISIS and setting conditions by training and equipping Iraqi Security Forces and Syrian opposition groups,” Votel said. “Their hard work led to the recapturing of Fallujah and the airfield at Qayyarah-posturing the ISF to begin clearing Mosul, the ISIS stronghold in Iraq.”

The III Armored Corps previously led the CJTF-OIR Coalition from Sept. 2015 to Aug. 2016.

Since redeploying just over a year ago, the Soldiers from the III Armored Corps went right back to training to prepare for the mission, and Funk recognized the extraordinary effort and progress that was achieved within the region during that time.

“ISIS’ brutality forces us to look deep into the heart of darkness. They condone the systematic murder of women and children, the enslavement of religious minorities, and the torture and execution of captured prisoners,” Funk said. “As a result of the magnificent work of this strong Coalition, real change is happening. ISIS is on the run.”

During his remarks Townsend reflected on the XVIII Airborne Corps’ support to its partner forces in the achievement of major milestones in the campaign to annihilate ISIS in Iraq and Syria. During the Corps’ tour the Iraqi Security Forces defeated ISIS in their capital of Mosul in Iraq, while Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Arab Coalition steadily made progress against and determined and evil enemy in ISIS’s global capital in Raqqah, Syria.

Townsend lauded Coalition partners’ efforts in Iraq and Syria over the past year. “Our Iraqi partners have liberated Mosul. Our Syrian partners have seized and cleared more than half of Raqqah. And the Iraqis have regained control of Tal Afar and the rest of Ninewah for good measure,” said Townsend. “I think what all of this has shown is that our “by, with and through” strategy works when you have capable partners willing to fight.”

Since its establishment in June 2014, CJTF-OIR – a global Coalition consisting of more than 72 nations and organizations – has increased the capabilities of partner forces, and significantly degraded the ability of ISIS to plan, resource and execute attacks worldwide. Their collective accomplishments include:

*Trained and equipped nearly 115,000 Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and over 11,000 vetted-Syrian counter-ISIS forces.

*Recaptured over 82,000 square kilometers of territory previously held by ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

*Set free over 5.5 million men, women and children in Iraq and Syria.

*Conducted over 26,000 strikes against ISIS in support of partner forces in Iraq and Syria.

Funk shared his vision for the CJTF-OIR mission ahead.

“The very existence of ISIS poses a threat to the civilized world and our way of life. We must defeat them, and our collective effort WILL defeat them,” Funk said.

On Sept. 4, Coalition military forces conducted 37 strikes consisting of 41 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 28 strikes consisting of 32 engagements against ISIS targets.

•Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four vehicles and a VBIED.

•Near Raqqah, 23 strikes [2-3 British] engaged seven ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, four oil stills, three oil trucks, two logistics nodes, and a command and control node; and suppressed two fighting positions.

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

•Near Al Asad, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

•Near Al Huwayjah, six strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed five oil storage tanks, four ISIS-held buildings, a VBIED, an IED facility, a vehicle and a fighting position.

•Near Al Qaim, two strikes destroyed two fighting positions and an ISIS weapons storage facility.

Additionally, 14 strikes consisting of 14 engagements were conducted in Syria on Sept. 2-3 that closed within the last 24 hours.

•On Sept. 2, near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position.

•On Sept. 3, near Raqqah, four strikes destroyed a VBIED and a fighting position and suppressed two fighting positions.

Monday 4 September – Typhoons provided close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa, striking six Daesh positions including a heavy machine-gun and two sniper teams…Royal Air Force Typhoons, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, flew close air support for the Syrian Democratic Forces as they continued to battle Daesh inside Raqqa. Our aircraft delivered six attacks with Paveway IV guided bombs against Daesh positions, often having to strike targets very close to the Syrian Democratic Forces, including a heavy machine-gun and two sniper teams.

On Sept. 3, Coalition military forces conducted 31 strikes consisting of 35 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 25 strikes consisting of 27 engagements against ISIS targets.

•Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed 10 ISIS oil stills.

•Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed 30 ISIS oil barrels, three oil stills, a well-head and a VBIED.

•Near Raqqah, 21 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed 13 fighting positions, two pieces of ISIS communications infrastructure, two vehicles, a VBIED, a command and control node, and a logistics node.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of eight engagement against ISIS targets.

•Near Al Huwayjah, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and a destroyed a command and control node, an ISIS UAS site, an ammunition cache, a VBIED facility and an ISIS-held building.

•Near Baghdad, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

•Near Al Qaim, two strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters, a crane, and a front-end loader.

Additionally, 10 strikes consisting of 10 engagements were conducted in Syria on Sept. 1-2 that closed within the last 24 hours.

•On Sept. 1, near Raqqah, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units.

•On Sept. 2, near Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and suppressed two fighting positions.

Chammal : les Rafale Français appuient les troupes au sol dans la bataille de Tal Afar

Mise à jour : 03/09/2017

Dans la nuit du 20 août dernier, le premier ministre Irakien Haider al-Abadi annonce le début de la bataille pour reprendre Tal Afar, dernier bastion de l’Etat Islamique depuis la libération de Mossoul. L’offensive est menée par les forces gouvernementales irakiennes et soutenue par la coalition dans le cadre de l’Opération Inherent Resolve (OIR), mobilisant une soixantaine de nations dans la lutte contre Daesh.

Présents au Levant depuis 2014, les Rafale de l’Armée de l’Air ont pris part à la bataille de Tal Afar afin de soutenir les actions des troupes irakiennes au sol, combattant pour la libération de cette ville de la province de Ninive en Irak, encore aux mains de l’Etat Islamique.

Au cours des derniers jours, les pilotes et les équipes de mise en œuvre des aéronefs Rafale ont débutés une période intensive de missions aériennes en appui des troupes au sol. Au cours de ces missions, appelées missions CAS (Close Air Support), les Rafale intègrent le cortège des avions de la coalition qui se tiennent prêts à appuyer directement l’action des troupes au sol engagées contre Daech. A la demande, et en respectant un processus de ciblage rigoureux et un contrôle national permanent, les aéronefs peuvent être amenés à conduire des frappes aériennes, à l’aide de bombes guidées laser ou GPS, afin de réduire les capacités de Daech et de faciliter la progression des troupes soutenues par la coalition.

De retour sur la base aérienne des Emirats-Arabes-Unis, ce jeudi 24 août 2017, les pilotes français se posent après de longues heures de vol au-dessus du désert et des combats. « Les missions durent en moyenne 7h30, mais cela dépend de quelle plateforme nous décollons », indique le commandant Matthieu commandant d’un escadron de chasse 3006intégré à l’opération Chammal.

De retour de mission, après de nombreuses heures passées dans son cockpit, suivi d’un débriefing méticuleux récapitulant son vol, le commandant nous délivre ces précisions : « Nous sommes partis à deux Rafale de notre plateforme des Emirats Arabes Unis, le Cne Romain, qui effectuait sa première mission CAS et moi-même. Il y avait également une patrouille de Rafale français qui a décollé de la base aérienne projetée du Levant. L’ensemble de la mission est planifiée et conduite par le CAOC (Combined Air and space Operations Center), le centre de commandement de la coalition qui se trouve au Qatar. »

Avant de « décrocher » de sa mission, le commandant Matthieu nous confie : « En trois ans de nombreux pilotes de Rafale ont servi sur l’Opération Chammal, tous quasiment, des plus anciens, aux jeunes pilotes, qui ont parfois fait leurs baptême du feu au Levant dans la lutte contre Daech ».

Sur le tarmac, autour des deux Rafale, les mécaniciens sont déjà à l’œuvre, les avions doivent-être reconfigurés. Les armuriers remontent déjà les bombes sur l’un des aéronefs. Cette semaine, les pilotes français engagés au Levant ont effectués plusieurs frappes aériennes pour appuyer l’avancée des soldats irakiens sur Tal Afar. Là-bas, les combats se poursuivent, dans quelques heures, les chasseurs repartiront pour une nouvelle mission d’appui aérien.

Lancée depuis le 19 septembre 2014, l’opération Chammal représente la participation française à l’OIR (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 au travers de la Task Force Wagram et à frapper les capacités militaires du groupe terroriste à l’aide du système d’armes Rafale.

SDF clear Great Mosque of Raqqah

SOUTHWEST ASIA – The Coalition congratulates the Syrian Democratic Forces on the successful clearance of the Great Mosque of Raqqah, Sept. 2.

The seizure of the Old City of Raqqah and especially the Great Mosque is a milestone in the ongoing battle to defeat ISIS in Raqqah and all of Syria. The SDF and Syrian Arab Coalition also evacuated thousands of civilians and went to great lengths to limit damage to infrastructure, including to the ancient mosque.

The Great Mosque is the oldest mosque in the city and has been under ISIS control since 2014 when the terrorist group captured the city from the people of Syria. ISIS deliberately and consistently uses protected civilian infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and mosques as headquarters, weapons factories and finance hubs.

“The liberation of this historic landmark is a testimony to the dedication and courage of the SDF as they fight to defeat ISIS in Raqqah,” said Coalition Spokesman Col. Ryan Dillon. “The SDF have made consistent incremental gains in the urban terrain of the city, fighting block by block, and applying increasing pressure on ISIS each day while evacuating civilians along the way.”

The Coalition contributes to the defeat of ISIS by providing the SDF with equipment, training, intelligence, precision fire support and military advice to leaders. The Coalition continues to work by, with, and through the SDF as they fight to defeat ISIS in Raqqah and throughout Syria.

On Sept. 2, Coalition military forces conducted 23 strikes consisting of 31 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes consisting of 30 engagements against ISIS targets.

• Near Al Hawl, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a VBIED.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four oil stills.

• Near Raqqah, 19 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions, four logistics nodes, three IEDs, two staging areas, a mortar system, a vehicle, and a command and control node.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted one strike consisting of one engagement against ISIS targets.

• Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed a VBIED facility.

Additionally, 14 strikes consisting of 20 engagements were conducted in Syria on Sept. 1 that closed within the last 24 hours.

• On Sept. 1, near Al Hawl, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS UAS.

• On Sept. 1, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

• On Sept. 1, near Raqqah, Syria, 12 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed four command and control nodes, four logistics nodes, three fighting positions, three VBIEDs, and two heavy machine guns.

Saturday 2 September – Typhoons bombed a vehicle and trailer in eastern Syria…On Saturday 2 September, Typhoons patrolled over eastern Syria, and used a Paveway to attack a lorry and trailer being used by Daesh some twelve miles south-east of As Shadaddi, close to the border with Iraq.

On Sept. 1, Coalition military forces conducted 25 strikes consisting of 43 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes consisting of 40 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 oil stills, four vehicles, an ISIS-held building, a bulldozer, a fuel truck, and an artillery system.

*Near Raqqah, 17 strikes [1 British] engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed 16 fighting positions, three logistics nodes, two command and control nodes, and a VBIED.

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

*Near Al Qaim, three strikes [1 British] destroyed two ISIS fuel storage sites, an ISIS-held building, a front-end loader, a weapons storage area and an excavator.

Additionally, 15 strikes consisting of 20 engagements were conducted in Syria on Aug. 30-31 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On Aug. 30, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position.

*On Aug. 31, near Raqqah, Syria, 13 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, three command and control nodes and a tunnel.

On 1 Sep 17, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Al Qaim. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh; command and control facility, munitions storage and logistic facility with guided munitions.