Friday 1 September – Typhoons destroyed a terrorist position in Raqqa, whilst a mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair struck three targets at a large Daesh complex in western Iraq…Typhoons continued operations over Raqqa on Friday 1 September, when they used a Paveway IV to destroy a Daesh-held building from which fire was being directed at the Syrian Democratic Forces. A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair conducted reconnaissance before joining a coalition strike on a large, dispersed terrorist site near Al Qaim in western Iraq. The RAF targets at the complex were accommodation and storage blocks, and an anti-aircraft position. All three were struck by Paveway IVs.

On Aug. 31, Coalition military forces conducted 30 strikes consisting of 52 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes consisting of 38 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed six fuel trucks, five tactical vehicles, a vehicle, an ISIS tank, a staging area and an oil still.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units, destroyed five tactical vehicles and a machine gun, and damaged a bridge.

*Near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 10 fighting positions, three logistics nodes, two vehicles and a command and control node.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 14 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Al Qaim, three strikes destroyed four ISIS front-end loaders, two semi-trailers, two semi-trucks, an excavator, and a crane.

*Near Al Huwayjah, two strikes destroyed five ISIS oil stills and an ISIS-held building.

*Near Tal Afar, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, damaged four fighting positions and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

*Near Rawah, one strike destroyed an ISIS front-end loader.

Additionally, 28 strikes consisting of 37 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 18 and Aug. 30 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On June 18, near Raqqah, Syria, eight strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed eight fighting positions.

*On Aug. 30, near Abu Kamal, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three tactical vehicles, two ISIS-held buildings, a front-end loader, a vehicle, and a staging area.

*On Aug. 30, near Raqqah, Syria, 18 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, two command and control nodes, and a heavy machine gun.

*On Aug. 30, near Tal Afar, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a medium machine gun and a fighting position.

29 Aug 2017

Operation OKRA–

ADF Airstrikes for the period 11 Aug – 25 Aug 2017

Over the period 11 Aug– 25 Aug2017, Air Task Group strike operations focused on supporting Iraqi Security Force operations to clear and secure Tal Afar and Bayji from Daesh forces

.

On 12 Aug, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh munitions storage facility with guided munitions.

On 14 Aug, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Bayji. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh fighting position with guided munitions.

On 15 Aug, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck three Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions.

On 19 Aug, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh weapons cache with guided munitions.

On 20 Aug, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh weapons cache, a Daesh Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), a Daesh fighting position, and a Daesh heavy weapons site with guided munitions.

On 21 Aug, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh fighting positions and a Daesh heavy weapons site with guided munitions.

On 22 Aug, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh fighting positions, a Daesh heavy weapons site and three Daesh Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices’ (VBIED) with guided munitions.

On 23 Aug, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions.

On Aug. 30, Coalition military forces conducted 31 strikes consisting of 51 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes consisting of 41 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed eight ISIS oil stills and damaged five supply routes.

*Near Al Hawl, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

*Near Raqqah, 17 strikes [2 or more British] engaged 11 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 15 fighting positions, two command and control nodes, a logistics node, and an IED factory.

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

*Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed two ISIS-held buildings and an explosives cache.

*Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarter.

*Near Tal Afar, eight strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed 36 fighting positions, three heavy machine guns, two medium machine guns, two weapons caches, a command and control node, and an ISIS-held building; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

Additionally, 26 strikes consisting of 59 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 18 and Aug. 28-29 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On June 18, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes destroyed six fighting positions.

*On Aug. 28, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions.

*On Aug. 29, near Raqqah, Syria, 16 strikes engaged nine ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, a VBIED, a heavy machine gun, and a command and control node.

*On Aug. 29, near Rawah, Iraq, two strikes destroyed two VBIED facilities.

*On Aug. 29, near Tal Afar, Iraq, two strikes suppressed four ISIS tactical units.

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.

Wednesday 30 August – Tornados and Typhoons supported the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa, striking five Daesh positions…Three flights of Royal Air Force Tornados and Typhoons provided close air support on Wednesday 30 August to the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting to liberate Raqqa from Daesh control. Five attacks were successfully conducted, which eliminated three sniper positions, a light machine-gun team, and a group of extremists armed with rocket-propelled grenades. Each of the attacks required careful planning and execution by our aircrew, given the proximity of the Syrian Democratic Forces to the desired targets.

On Aug. 29, Coalition military forces conducted 56 strikes consisting of 109 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 51 strikes consisting of 84 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, four strikes destroyed six ISIS oil stills, five oil storage barrels, a front-end loader, a fuel truck and damaged an ISIS supply route.

*Near Al Hawl, one strike destroyed a command and control node.

*Near Raqqah, 46 strikes engaged 30 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 66 fighting positions, five heavy machine guns, five vehicles, three medium machine guns, three anti-air systems, three ISIS communications lines, two command and control nodes, an ISIS headquarters, a weapons cache, an ISIS staging area, a VBIED, damaged eight fighting positions and suppressed two heavy machine guns.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of 25 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed a weapons cache and destroyed a tunnel.

*Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed two front-end loaders and an ISIS fuel truck.

*Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a weapons storage facility.

*Near Tal Afar, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and two snipers and destroyed three fighting positions, two ISIS-held buildings, a supply cache, a medium machine gun, damaged five fighting positions and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.

Additionally, 53 strikes consisting of 42 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Aug. 26-27 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On Aug. 27, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike destroyed a command control node.

*On Aug. 27, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.

*On Aug. 28, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS chemical weapons cache.

*On Aug. 28, near Raqqah, Syria, 46 strikes engaged 32 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 37 fighting positions, two VBIEDs, a UAS, and a command and control node.

*On Aug. 28, near Tal Afar, Iraq, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two ISIS-held buildings and a tunnel.

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.

OPÉRATION CHAMMAL

SITUATION En Irak, Les combats de la période estivale se sont concentrés sur la reprise du dernier bastion urbain de Daech dans le Nord du pays : la ville de Tal Afar. Les forces irakiennes présentes dans la région de Mossoul ont réussi à faire céder la ligne de front à l’ouest de Mossoul avant d’encercler la ville. Les opérations de reprise ont débuté le 20 août et semblent aujourd’hui majoritairement terminées avec la conquête le week-end dernier du centre-ville. Les forces irakiennes concentrent aujourd’hui leurs actions dans la sécurisation de la ville. Dans le reste du pays, le groupe terroriste poursuit ses actions asymétriques contre les forces de sécurité et les populations. En particulier, dans les régions d’Hawijah et de l’Anbar où les terroristes profitent des zones désertiques pour conserver des espaces de manœuvre et ainsi frapper des zones peu protégées. En Syrie,

A Raqqah, les forces de Daech, encerclées depuis la mi-juillet, mènent toujours une défense acharnée des quartiers du centre-ville. Les combattants du groupe terroriste utilisent des réseaux de tunnels et des véhicules suicide chargés d’explosifs pour conduire des actions de harcèlement, et piègent systématiquement le terrain cédé. Ils utilisent également les populations civiles comme bouclier humain et les empêchent de fuir les zones des combats. Les Forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS) poursuivent malgré tout leur progression profitant des bénéfices de l’encerclement des terroristes éprouvant des difficultés à se ravitailler. Elles ont réussi au début du mois d’août à faire la jonction entre les fronts est et ouest de la ville. Aujourd’hui, elles concentrent leurs efforts sur la sécurisation du quartier central de la Médina, récemment conquis.

ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE Pendant les deux derniers mois, les soldats de l’opération Chammal ont poursuivi leurs missions d’appui au profit des unités irakiennes engagées contre Daech. Ils réalisent également, au quotidien, des actions de formation pour contribuer à bâtir le pilier sécuritaire des forces irakiennes. Action du volet aérien : Depuis le 3 juillet, les aéronefs ont réalisé plus de 250 sorties aériennes dont 220 de reconnaissance armée et d’appui au sol (CAS), 17 sorties de ravitaillement ainsi que 31 sorties de recueil de renseignement par Atlantique 2 ou patrouille de Rafale. Ces sorties ont donné lieu à la réalisation de 48 frappes et la destruction de 53 objectifs. Les frappes réalisées ont majoritairement été conduites à Raqqah en Syrie (soit 22 frappes menées) et dans la région de Tal Afar en Irak (12 frappes menées).

Le bilan global de l’activité aérienne depuis le 19 septembre 2014 s’élève 1356 frappes, 2130 objectifs détruits et 7022 sorties.

La TF WAGRAM redéployée en deux groupements pour appuyer l’offensive vers Tal Afar : Depuis le 20 août 2017, les artilleurs français agissent avec les autres capacités d’appui irakiennes et de la coalition dans la bataille pour libérer la ville de Tal Afar. A la demande de la coalition et pour assurer le meilleur appui aux unités irakiennes, la Task Force (TF) Wagram. Elle opère désormais depuis deux emprises situées à l’est de la ville afin de mieux couvrir la zone des combats. Ces deux groupements d’artillerie, équipés chacun de deux canons CAESAR, ont mené plus de 100 missions de tir en appui de l’ICTS et des 9e, 15e et 16e divisions irakiennes depuis le début des combats pour la reprise de Tal Afar. Au lancement de l’offensive, le 20 août au matin, les artilleurs ont fourni des tirs de destruction des premières lignes de défense de Daech. Ils ont également effectué plusieurs tirs de contre-batterie pour priver les combattants terroristes de leurs principaux moyens d’appui.

Cette semaine, les canons CAESAR ont mené 46 missions de tir (43 de neutralisation /destruction et 3 d’éclairement).

Le pilier formation : une action dans la durée : La mission de formation et de conseil est l’un des deux piliers de l’engagement militaire français au Levant. Les instructeurs français participant à ce programme mènent des actions de formation et de conseil qui visent le même objectif : améliorer les capacités de commandement et les savoir-faire tactiques des troupes irakiennes. Depuis mars 2015, les soldats français de l’opération Chammal ont contribué à la formation de plus de 7500 soldats irakiens depuis leurs bases de Bagdad. Cet été, l’actualité de la Task force Narvik s’est concentrée autour de la réalisation de stages spécifiques répondant au besoin de l’unité contre-terrorisme irakienne (ICTS). En particulier, elle a contribué aux activités suivantes :

• Formations initiales d’une nouvelle promotion de l’academy de l’ICTS,
• Stage contre IED pour des formateurs dans ce domaine,
• Elle a également conduit un stage de formation d’ « équipe de reconnaissance dans la profondeur » (Deep Recon course) au profit d’une vingtaine de soldats irakiens. D’une durée totale de quatre semaines, ce stage visait à former des petites unités autonomes capables de s’infiltrer, de se dissimuler, d’analyser et de faire remonter les informations afin de fournir du renseignement tactique et ainsi appuyer l’action offensive immédiate des bataillons.

Depuis la mi-juin, la TF Narvik a mené des formations au profit de près de 300 soldats de l’ICTS dont une vingtaine de formateurs. Dans le même temps, les soldats de la Task force Monsabert ont poursuivi leurs missions de conseil au profit de la 6° division irakienne. Elle a plus particulièrement mené des formations dans les domaines suivants :

• Soins de première urgence,
• Lutte contre les engins explosifs improvisés,
• Réaction à adopter face à une attaque.

Au cours de l’été, la TF Monsabert a mené des formations au profit de plus de 150 soldats et d’une dizaine de formateurs de la 6° division irakienne.

Ces actions de formation et de conseil menées par les soldats français participent ainsi à la construction du pilier sécuritaire des forces irakiennes.

August 31, 2017

Release 20170831-02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Iraqi government announces liberation of Tal Afar

SOUTHWEST ASIA – The global Coalition to defeat ISIS congratulates Prime Minister Al-Abadi and all Iraqi Security Forces on their stunning victory in Tal Afar and Northern Ninewah Province, Aug. 31.

Under the command of Prime Minister al-Abadi, all branches of the Iraqi Security Forces took part in the liberation of Tal Afar – the 9th, 15th and 16th Iraqi Army Divisions, the Counter Terrorism Service, the Federal Police and Emergency Response Division, Iraqi Local Police, the Popular Mobilization Forces as well as the Kurdish Regional Government Peshmerga.

While the city and critical infrastructure are under ISF control, dangerous work remains to completely remove explosive devices, identify ISIS fighters in hiding and eliminate any remaining ISIS holdouts so they do not threaten the security of Tal Afar in the future.

“Following their historic liberation of Mosul and now a swift and decisive victory in Tal Afar, the ISF have shown, once again, they are an increasingly capable force that can protect the Iraqi people, defeat ISIS within Iraq and secure the country’s borders,” said Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the commander of U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq and Syria. “This is yet another significant achievement for the Iraqi Security Forces and the government and people of Iraq.”

The Coalition contributes to the defeat of ISIS by providing Iraqi forces with equipment, training, intelligence, precision fire support and military advice to leaders. By working by, with, and through the government of Iraq and the ISF, the Coalition has enabled the Iraqi Security Forces to reclaim 90 percent of their land from ISIS. The Coalition will continue to support the government of Iraq and Iraqi Security Forces as they fight on to defeat ISIS in Western Anbar province and Hawijah.

On Aug. 28, Coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes consisting of 59 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes consisting of 16 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS front-end loader.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an explosives facility and a weapons cache.

*Near Raqqah, 12 strikes [1 British?] engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed nine fighting positions, a logistics node and a VBIED.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of 43 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Al Qaim, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

*Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a VBIED facility.

*Near Tal Afar, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed 27 fighting positions, two mortar systems, two VBIEDs, two supply caches, a weapons cache and a tunnel.

Additionally, 43 strikes consisting of 68 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 17 and Aug. 26-27 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On June 17, near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes destroyed six fighting positions and a command and control node.

*On Aug. 26, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed five fighting positions.

*On Aug. 26, near Rawah, Iraq, one strike destroyed a VBIED facility.

*On Aug. 27, near Abu Kamal, Syria, one strike damaged an ISIS bridge.

*On Aug. 27, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike destroyed a command and control node.

*On Aug. 27 near Raqqah, Syria, 24 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 22 fighting positions, two anti-aircraft artillery systems, and two logistics nodes.

*On Aug. 27, near Al Qaim, Iraq, two strikes destroyed seven ISIS oil stills, five ISIS oil storage barrels, and an ISIS-held building.

*On Aug. 27, near Tal Afar, Iraq, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, three vehicles, two mortar systems, two weapons caches, two VBIEDS, a staging area, a heavy machine gun, an ISIS-held building and a command and control node.

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.

Monday 28 August – Typhoons hit three terrorist-held buildings in Raqqa, whilst Tornados and Typhoons struck ten positions north of Tal Afar…Raqqa operations continued on Monday 28 August, when Typhoons hit three more terrorist-held buildings. In Iraq, Iraqi forces engaged Daesh forces positioned several miles north of Tal Afar, and our aircraft provide close air support, conducting attacks on ten buildings occupied by the extremists.

On Aug. 27, Coalition military forces conducted 35 strikes consisting of 42 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 34 strikes consisting of 41 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed seven ISIS oil stills.

*Near Al Hawl, four strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle, a mortar system, and a fighting position.

*Near Raqqah, 29 strikes [1 British?] engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 19 fighting positions, five logistics nodes, three vehicles, three ISIS headquarters, two VBIEDs, and two command and control nodes.

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

*Near Tal Afar, one strike [1 Aus?] engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions.

Additionally, 39 strikes consisting of 46 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on May 26, June 11, June 17, July 24, Aug. 22, and Aug. 25-26 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On May 26, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

*On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed two fighting positions.

*On June 17, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed nine fighting positions and an explosives facility.

*On July 24, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.

*On Aug. 22, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

*On Aug. 25, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed a command and control node and two fighting positions.

*On Aug. 26, near Al Huwayjah, Iraq, one strike destroyed eight ISIS oil stills.

*On Aug. 26, near Al Shadaddi, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions.

*On Aug. 26, near Raqqah, Syria, 22 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions.

*On Aug. 26, near Tal Afar, Iraq, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two medium machine guns, two VBIEDs, two command and control nodes, a weapons cache, and a fighting position.

Sunday 27 August – Typhoons and Tornados bombed ten Daesh positions in Raqqa.

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 Aug. 26, Coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes consisting of 40 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes consisting of 27 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed four pieces of ISIS oil equipment and damaged an ISIS bridge.

*Near Raqqah, 18 strikes [at least 1 British] engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed 14 fighting positions, six logistics nodes, and three vehicles

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of 13 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a VBIED factory.

*Near Tal Afar, three strikes destroyed three ISIS-held buildings, two vehicles and a fighting position.

Additionally, 58 strikes consisting of 85 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on July 13, July 16, July 19, July 21 -23, Aug 24 and Aug. 25 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On July 13, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a fighting position.

*On July 16, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

*On July 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

*On July 21, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle, an anti-air artillery system, and a fighting position.

*On July 22, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a mortar system.

*On July 23, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike destroyed two ISIS well-heads.

*On Aug. 24, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions, two command and control nodes, and a heavy machine gun.

*On Aug. 25, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike destroyed ISIS oil equipment.

*On Aug. 25, near Raqqah, Syria, 31 strikes engaged 18 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions, two command and control nodes, five vehicles, and three heavy machine guns.

*On Aug. 25, near Al Huwayjah, Iraq, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a command and control node and an ISIS oil still.

*On Aug. 25, near Tal Afar, Iraq, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed a staging area, and damaged three supply routes.”

Saturday 26 August – Typhoons and Tornados eliminated four sniper teams in Raqqa…The focus for RAF missions remained on Raqqa over the weekend. A mixed flight bombed four sniper teams there on Saturday 26 August, whilst on Sunday, three RAF flights used Paveway IVs to attack a total of ten Daesh positions in the city.

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 Aug. 25, Coalition military forces conducted 39 strikes consisting of 102 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 29 strikes consisting of 37 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed two ISIS well-heads and an ISIS check point.
*Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed four ISIS oil stills and a well-head.
*Near Raqqah, 24 strikes engaged 15 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, two logistics nodes, two command and control nodes, a VBIED, an ISIS UAS, a vehicle, and an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 65 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed an ISIS-held building.
*Near Bayji two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle and a staging area.
*Near Tal Afar, seven strikes [1 or more British] engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 17 fighting positions, 10 vehicles, eight anti-air systems, six ISIS-held buildings, six medium machine guns, six mortar systems, four rocket-propelled grenade systems, three weapons caches, two recoilless rifles, a heavy machine gun, and a VBIED facility; damaged two supply routes; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

Additionally, 55 strikes consisting of 127 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Aug. Aug. 20-21 and Aug. 24 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On Aug. 20, near Tal Afar, Iraq, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.
*On Aug. 21, near Tal Afar, Iraq, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.
*On Aug. 24, near Al Shadaddi, Syria, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle, and a logistics node.
*On Aug. 24, near Raqqah, Syria, 41 strikes engaged 33 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 33 fighting positions, an ISIS headquarters, three vehicles, an IED, an anti-air artillery system, and a command and control node.
*On Aug. 24, near Al Huwayjah, Iraq, one strike destroyed 15 ISIS oil equipment items and five pieces of engineering equipment.
*On Aug. 24, near Al Qaim, Iraq, one strike destroyed an ISIS staging area.
*On Aug. 24, near Kisik, Iraq, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed two fighting positions, a VBIED and a rocket-propelled grenade system; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.
*On Aug. 24, near Tal Afar, Iraq, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 25 vehicles, eight fighting positions, a weapons cache, three medium machine guns, two mortar systems, two front-end loaders, a VBIED, and an excavator; damaged two supply routes; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.”

Friday 25 August – Typhoons and Tornados attacked three terrorist positions in Raqqa, and three in Tal Afar…A mixed Typhoon and Tornado pair delivered three further Paveway attacks in Tal Afar on Friday 25 August, hitting two mortar teams and a Daesh-held building. Over Raqqa, our aircraft continued to support the Syrian Democratic Forces, and used Paveway IVs against two sniper positions and another terrorist strongpoint. The focus for RAF missions remained on Raqqa over the weekend.

On Aug. 24, Coalition military forces conducted 13 strikes consisting of 35 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 12 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed an explosives cache and an ISIS-held building.

*Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed two ISIS well-heads and a VBIED factory.

*Near Raqqah, five strikes [1 British] engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed five fighting positions.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of 23 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Tal Afar, three strikes [1 or more British] engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed 12 fighting positions, six machine guns, three mortar systems, and three rocket-propelled grenades.

Additionally, 59 strikes consisting of 115 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Aug. 21-23 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

*On Aug. 22, near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions and an ISIS headquarters.

*On Aug. 23, near Raqqah, Syria, 44 strikes engaged 27 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 77 fighting positions, six ISIS headquarters, three command and control nodes, an explosives cache, a heavy machine gun, and a vehicle.

*On Aug. 23, near Tal Afar, Iraq, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 62 vehicles, two artillery systems, two command and control nodes, a fuel truck, two fighting positions, seven mortar systems, a vehicle, a sniper position, a staging area, and an ISIS headquarters; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

Thursday 24 August – Typhoons and Tornados struck four targets in Raqqa, and ten targets around Tal Afar, including a truck-bomb factory…The following day [August 24th], Typhoons and Tornados struck a further four positions in Raqqa with Paveways, including a sniper and a machine-gun team. Typhoons and Tornados were also very busy around Tal Afar: Paveway IVs were used to target one large and two small buildings comprising a truck-bomb factory, and five other positions from which terrorists armed with suicide vests, rocket-propelled grenades, a mortar and a heavy machine-gun were operating. In addition, two Brimstone missiles were fired successfully at a truck-bomb, and a mechanical excavator used to construct defensive positions.

On Aug. 23, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes consisting of 45 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 19 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed three ISIS headquarters and an ISIS-held building.

*Near Raqqah, nine strikes [1 British] engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed 11 fighting positions and a vehicle.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of 26 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters and a weapons cache.

*Near Bayji, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two staging areas, two vehicles, and a vehicle storage area.

*Near Kisik, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

*Near Tal Afar, two strikes [1 British? 1 Aus] engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed eight fighting positions, three mortar systems, three VBIEDs, two tactical vehicles, an anti-air system, an artillery system, a command and control node, a medium machine gun, an ISIS-held building, and a weapons cache.

Additionally, 37 strikes consisting of 64 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Aug. 20-22 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On Aug. 20, near Al Shadaddi, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

*On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed five ISIS fighting positions.

*On Aug. 22, near Al Hawl, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS vehicle.

*On Aug. 22, near Al Shadaddi, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two fighting positions.

*On Aug. 22, near Raqqah, Syria, 27 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 27 fighting positions, three IEDs, two command and control nodes, a logistics node, and ISIS engineering equipment.

*On Aug. 22, near Al Qaim, Iraq, one strike destroyed an ISIS weapons cache.

*On Aug. 22, near Tal Afar, Iraq, three strikes destroyed seven ISIS vehicles, two weapons caches, and a VBIED facility, and damaged two supply routes.

On 23 Aug, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions.

Wednesday 23 August – Typhoons attacked two terrorist positions in Raqqa, whilst Tornados and Typhoons hit an armed truck and terrorists on foot in and around Tal Afar…On Wednesday 23 August, a Typhoon flight used Paveway IVs to destroy two defensive positions in Raqqa, from which Daesh extremists were firing on the Syrian Democratic Forces. Tornados bombed two groups of terrorists spotted on foot to the north-east of Tal Afar, while a mixed flight used a Brimstone to destroy an armed truck hidden under a building’s overhang on the western edge of the city.

On Aug. 22, Coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes consisting of 81 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes consisting of 36 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed two ISIS oil stills, two oil tanks and a separator.

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

*Near Raqqah, 14 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 26 fighting positions, an ISIS headquarters, a command and control node, and ISIS engineering equipment.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 45 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Al Qaim, three strikes destroyed two ISIS headquarters and two weapons caches.

*Near Tal Afar, five strikes [2 Aus] engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, seven mortar systems, four ISIS-held buildings, two tactical vehicles, two medium machine guns, a vehicle, an anti-air artillery system, a weapons cache, a command and control node, an artillery system, and a supply cache; and damaged four supply routes.

Additionally, 30 strikes consisting of 66 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Aug. 19 and Aug. 21 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

*On Aug. 21, near Raqqah, Syria, 24 strikes engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 33 fighting positions, a logistics node, a mortar system, and an anti-air artillery system.

*On Aug. 21, near Tal Afar, Iraq, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 49 vehicles, 21 oil trucks, three front-end loaders, two command and control nodes, and a tank; damaged a supply route; and suppressed five mortar teams.

On 22 Aug, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh fighting positions, a Daesh heavy weapons site and three Daesh Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices’ (VBIED) with guided munitions.

On Aug. 21, Coalition military forces conducted 30 strikes consisting of 66 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes consisting of 32 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters and weapons cache.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIS oil still.

*Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positions, a vehicle, a logistics node and ISIS communications infrastructure.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 34 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Al Qaim, three strikes destroyed a VBIED factory, an ISIS front-end loader and an excavator.

*Near Rawah, two strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters, a vehicle and a front-end loader.

*Near Tal Afar, three strikes [1-2 British, 1-2 Aus] engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed five mortar systems, four supply caches, two vehicles, two VBIEDs, two fighting positions, two recoilless rifles, an ISIS headquarters, and a medium machine gun; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

Additionally, 50 strikes consisting of 67 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Aug. 18-20 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On Aug. 18, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

*On Aug. 19, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS well-head.

*On Aug. 19, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions, an IED, and a command and control node.

*On Aug. 20, near Al Shadaddi, Syria, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle.

*On Aug. 20, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS well-head.

*On Aug. 20, near Raqqah, Syria, 33 strikes engaged 21 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 41 fighting positions, five command and control nodes, an IED, an ISIS headquarters, two supply caches, ISIS engineering equipment and an ISIS UAS.

*On Aug. 20, near Tal Afar, Iraq, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, three staging areas, two IEDs, two pieces of ISIS oil equipment, a rocket-propelled grenade system, and a vehicle; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

On 21 Aug, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in the vicinity of Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh fighting positions and a Daesh heavy weapons site with guided munitions.