De Ministerraad heeft op voordracht van de Minister van Defensie, Steven Vandeput, beslist om de Belgische inzet in de strijd tegen IS te verlengen in 2017.

Ons land heeft een akkoord met Nederland om jaarlijks te roteren in de strijd tegen DAESH. De periode waarin de Belgen vliegen eindigde normaal op 1 juli 2017. Nederland heeft echter beslist dat ze om operationeel-technische redenen niet kunnen vliegen in de tweede helft van dit jaar. De Internationale coalitie heeft daarom aan België gevraagd om ook na 1 juli te blijven vliegen.

België zal van 1 juli tot 31 december 4 F-16’s inzetten, ondersteund door 110 militairen (waarvan een twintigtal tijdelijk). Een Red Card Holder Team bestaande uit 4 personen zal opereren vanuit Qatar.

De opdrachten die onze vliegtuigen kunnen uitvoeren voor de Coalitie blijven onveranderd. Enkel het aantal vlieguren daalt van 400 naar 250 per maand.

De Force Protection wordt verzekerd door Nederland tot het einde van het jaar. Ter herinnering, het rotatieschema met Nederland bestaat sinds 2015: als onze F-16’s vliegen, beschermen de Nederlandse troepen ons detachement. Als de Nederlandse F-16’s vliegen, beschermen de Belgen het Nederlandse detachement.

De kostprijs van de verlenging van deze operatie bedraagt 17 miljoen euro.

On June 15, Coalition military forces conducted 35 strikes consisting of 84 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 29 strikes consisting of 39 engagements against ISIS targets.

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

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes [1 British] engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five ISIS oil storage tanks, two vehicles, and an ISS well head.

* Near Raqqah, 20 strikes [1-2 British] engaged 14 ISIS tactical units and a sniper and destroyed nine fighting positions, four vehicles, three mortar systems, two supply caches, two ISIS headquarters, a heavy machine gun, and a home-made explosives factory.

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

* Near Haditha, one strike destroyed a VBIED.

* Near Kisik, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 10 fighting positions, four mortar systems, a tunnel entrance, a supply cache, and a vehicle; damaged four fighting positions; and suppressed four mortar teams.

* Near Mosul, one strike [1 British] engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed a fighting position and damaged a fighting position.

* Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a tactical vehicle.

Additionally, one strike was conducted in Iraq on June 14 that closed within the last 24 hours.

* Near Mosul, Iraq, one strike destroyed a fighting position, damaged 16 ISIS supply routes, and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

Thursday 15 June – A Reaper destroyed a terrorist vehicle in eastern Syria. Typhoons struck three targets in Raqqa, while Tornados and Typhoons hit a mortar near Tal Afar and six targets in Mosul…The following day [June 15th], a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft conducted armed reconnaissance in eastern Syria, some 35 miles north-east of Dayr az Zawr, and used a Hellfire missile to destroy a terrorist truck. Two Typhoons also struck three Daesh positions in Raqqa in support of the offensive by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Elsewhere, two mixed pairs of Tornados and Typhoons operated over northern Iraq. A Daesh mortar was engaged east of Tal Afar, while six positions in Mosul, including machine-gun and sniper teams, were struck using a mixture of Paveway IVs and Brimstones.

On 15 Jun, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck two Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions.

On June 14, Coalition military forces conducted 28 strikes consisting of 67 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes consisting of 28 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Abu Kamal, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed two ISIS well heads, and damaged a weapons cache, a weapons factory, and a VBIED factory.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes destroyed eight ISIS oil storage tanks, four ISIS oil separator tanks, and three ISIS well heads.

* Near Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, three ISIS boats, and a vehicle; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 39 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Huwayjah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS boat and an ISIS staging area.

* Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed a VBIED factory.

* Near Mosul, three strikes [1 Australian] engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, two tunnels, a mortar system, and a medium machine gun; and damaged a fighting position.

* Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed a mortar system.

Additionally, 13 strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 13 that closed within the last 24 hours.

* On June 13, near Raqqah, Syria, 10 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and a sniper and destroyed a fighting position, a tunnel, an ISIS headquarters, a weapons cache, a vehicle, and a VBIED.

* On June 13, near Kisik, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed an ISIS tunnel and a sniper position, and damaged 12 ISIS supply routes.

* On June 13, near Mosul, Iraq, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two vehicles, a tunnel, a weapons cache, an anti-air artillery system, a rocket-propelled grenade system, and a medium machine gun.

Wednesday 14 June – Tornados and Typhoons hit two Daesh-held buildings in Mosul, and a third such target to the west of Kirkuk…On Wednesday 14 June, a mixed pair of a Tornado and a Typhoon provided further assistance to the Iraqi forces in west Mosul, striking two terrorist-held buildings with Paveway IVs. Before returning to base at RAF Akrotiri, the aircraft struck a third Daesh building, some 24 miles west of Kirkuk.

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.

CHAMMAL

APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION

En Syrie, Daech a continué cette semaine de perdre du terrain face aux Forces Démocratiques Syriennes (FDS). À Raqqah les combattants terroristes ont à nouveau perdu un vaste secteur au Nord de la ville. Les FDS ont également réussi à percer les premières défenses et à prendre solidement pied dans plusieurs quartiers à l’Est de la ville. Les terroristes conduisent cependant une défense très dure en s’appuyant sur un terrain systématiquement piégé et sur les quartiers les plus densément urbanisés. Ceci laisse présager d’une progression lente et difficile une fois les premiers faubourgs conquis.

En Irak, Daech en dépit de nombreuses actions asymétriques a connu plusieurs revers cette semaine dans la plaine de Ninive (à l’ouest de Mossoul), et est désormais en phase d’être chassé de cette partie de la frontière irako-syrienne.

À Mossoul les combats sont toujours concentrés dans les quartiers immédiatement au nord de la Médina, et notamment celui de l’hôpital transformé par Daech en solide position défensive. La progression des FSI reste difficile en raison d’un grand nombre d’actions de harcèlement à base de tirs de mortier et par l’utilisation quasi systématique de boucliers humains.

À l’ouest de la ville, la 15e Division a lancé une offensive depuis Badush. Elle est parvenue à élargir la zone sous contrôle des FSI vers l’ouest et ainsi réduire encore un peu plus la liberté de circulation de Daech.

ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL

Appui feu – TF Wagram

La Task Force (TF) Wagram a appuyé cette semaine l’offensive de la 15e division irakienne en direction de l’Ouest visant à élargir la zone sous contrôle des FSI.

Elle a réalisé 80 missions de tir en appui des unités irakiennes dont plus de la moitié ont été menées pour harceler les combattants de Daech, soit pour les empêcher d’occuper une position, soit pour les en déloger. Les autres missions étaient des tirs d’éclairement ou fumigène.

Appui aérien au Levant

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements.

2 frappes ont été conduites par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, l’une à l’Ouest de la ville de Raqqah, et l’autre dans la région d’Al Qaim, toutes deux contre des combattants de Daech.

On June 13, Coalition military forces conducted 31 strikes consisting of 50 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

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

* Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed three ISIS well heads, three ISIS oil storage tanks and an ISIS oil separation tank.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed nine ISIS oil storage tanks, two ISIS well heads and a vehicle.

* Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 12 fighting positions, five vehicles, five ISIS boats, two VBIEDs, a recoilless rifle, a command and control node, and a tunnel; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of 18 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Kisik, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 12 fighting positions, a supply cache, a mortar system, and a command and control node; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

* Near Mosul, one strike [1 Australian] engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed a fighting position and a command and control node, and suppressed and ISIS tactical unit.

* Near Tuz, one strike damaged a fighting position.

Additionally, 12 strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 11-12 that closed within the last 24 hours.

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

* On June 12, near Raqqah, Syria, nine strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, an IED factory, an ISIS staging area, an ammo cache, and a command and control node.

* On June 12, near Mosul, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a command and control node, a fighting positon, and a supply cache.

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 June 12, Coalition military forces conducted 37 strikes consisting of 65 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 29 strikes consisting of 32 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, seven strikes destroyed five ISIS oil tanks, three ISIS well heads, a tactical vehicle and an ISIS tank.

* Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions and four vehicles.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 33 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Bayji, one strike destroyed a tactical vehicle and an ISIS front-end loader.

* Near Kisik, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and three VBIEDs.

* Near Mosul, five strikes [1 British] engaged five ISIS tactical units and destroyed 14 fighting positions, six mortar systems, two sniper positions, a weapons cache and a tactical vehicle.

* Near Samarra, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS-held buildings, three VBIEDs and a vehicle.

Additionally, seven strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 11 that closed within the last 24 hours.

* On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions and suppressed a sniper team.

* On June 11, near Mosul, Iraq, one strike destroyed three barriers and an ISIS staging area and damaged eight ISIS supply routes.

Monday 12 June – Tornados destroyed a Daesh strongpoint in west Mosul, as well as three truck-bombs and an associated workshop in central Iraq…

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.

Royal Air Force Tornados patrolled over west Mosul on Monday 12 June. Despite Iraqi forces being exceptionally close to a target, a Tornado was able to use a single Paveway IV guided bomb to destroy a Daesh strong-point. Our aircraft then headed south to an area in the countryside near the small town of Karwi. A truck-bomb workshop had been identified in an isolated building, with three of its deadly products parked some distance away. The three truck-bombs were dealt with first. An attack with a pair of Brimstone missiles scored direct hits on two of the vehicles, and the secondary explosions from one of these then set off the third truck-bomb. A Paveway IV was then used to demolish the workshop.

On June 11, Coalition military forces conducted 36 strikes consisting of 64 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

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

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes destroyed four ISIS tanks, six ISIS oil tanks, two ISIS well heads, an ISIS oil separation tank, an ISIS oil refinery, an ISIS oil truck and an ISIS oil still.

*Near Raqqah, 23 strikes [2 British] engaged 20 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 16 fighting positions, two vehicles, and two ISIS boats; damaged five ISIS supply routes; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 27 engagements against ISIS targets.

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

*Near Kisik, one strike destroyed a mortar system.

*Near Mosul, four strikes [1-2 British] engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed five fighting positions, two supply caches, a mortar system, a command and control node, an artillery system, and a vehicle; and damaged two fighting positions.

*Near Tal Afar, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a tunnel.

Additionally, 12 strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 10 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On June 10, near Raqqah, Syria, 11 strikes engaged 9 ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions, a tunnel, a weapons storage facility, and a command and control node; damaged an ISIS factory; and suppressed a sniper.

*On June 10, near Mosul, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed four barriers, a command and control node, a VBIED facility, and a fuel storage facility; and damaged seven ISIS supply routes.

Sunday 11 June – Tornados attacked two targets in and around Mosul, while other Tornados and Typhoons hit seven Daesh positions in Raqqa…A Tornado flight patrolled the Mosul area on Sunday 11 June, and conducted two attacks. During the first, a Paveway IV was used against a mortar position some 20 miles west of the city. A Brimstone was then used against a Daesh firing point in western Mosul, close to the riverbank. A second Tornado flight, and two pairs of Typhoons, operated the same day over Raqqa. Paveway IVs accounted for four sniper positions and a Daesh-held building, while a simultaneous attack with two Brimstones eliminated two firing points in a building on the western edge of the city.

On June 10, Coalition military forces conducted 34 strikes consisting of 70 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 27 strikes consisting of 35 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed three ISIS oil storage tanks.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, eight strikes destroyed 23 ISIS oil tanks, three ISIS separation tanks, two ISIS well heads, an ISIS-held building and an ISIS refinery.

*Near Raqqah, 17 strikes [2 British] engaged 15 ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, four vehicles, two ISIS front-end loaders, two ISIS headquarters, an ISIS UAS and an ISIS barge.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 35 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Bayji, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three vehicles, two tactical vehicles, two ISIS-held buildings, an anti-air artillery system and an ISIS staging area.

*Near Kisik, one strike engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, four VBIEDs, two mortar systems, a medium machine gun, and an ISIS staging area.

*Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed five fighting positions, two mortar systems, two VBIEDs, a supply cache, and an explosives cache; and suppressed a mortar team.

*Near Tal Afar, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

Additionally, 11 strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 8-9 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On June 8, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

*On June 9, near Raqqah, Syria, nine strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, two VBIEDs, two weapons caches, and an ISIS staging area.

*On June 9, near Mosul, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed an artillery system, an ISIS staging area, a fighting position, and a tunnel; and damaged two ISIS supply routes.

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.

Saturday 10 June – In Raqqa, a Reaper struck a group of terrorists engaged in a fire fight with Syrian Democratic Forces, and Typhoons hit two tunnel entrances…The following day [June 10th] , a Reaper intervened in a fire fight in western Raqqa between the SDF and a group of Daesh fighters. The Reaper hit the latter with a very effective Hellfire attack. The same day, Paveway-armed Typhoons struck two entrances to a network of tunnels built beneath a factory in the north-east of the city.

On June 9, Coalition military forces conducted 27 strikes consisting of 70 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes consisting of 30 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIS oil refinery.

*Near Raqqah, 20 strikes [1 British] engaged 12 ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, four vehicles, three ISIS headquarters, a VBIED, and an ISIS-held building; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

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

*Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS-held buildings, a supply cache and an ISIS headquarters.

*Near Bayji, one strike destroyed three VBIEDs, two VBIED staging areas and a tactical vehicle.

*Near Kisik, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions and a VBIED and damaged two fighting positions.

*Near Mosul, three strikes [1 Australian] engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, three ISIS-held buildings, a command and control node, a VBIED, and a VBIED staging area; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit and a mortar system.

Additionally, seven strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 7-8 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On June 7, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIS minefield.

*On June 8, near Raqqah, Syria, three strikes destroyed four fighting positions and a VBIED.

*On June 8, near Mosul, Iraq, two strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed three front-end loaders, a VBIED facility, a fighting position, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an excavator, and a command and control node; damaged 12 ISIS supply routes and a fighting position; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units.

*On June 8, near Rawah, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four ISIS-held buildings.”

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.

Friday 9 June – Tornados struck a Daesh position in eastern Raqqa…On Friday 9 June, Tornados struck a Daesh position in eastern Raqqa.

On June 8, Coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes consisting of 48 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes consisting of 19 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near At Tanf, two strikes destroyed two tactical vehicles and a UAS.

*Near Raqqah, nine strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed six fighting positions, three vehicles and a mortar system.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 29 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Al Qaim, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

*Near Bayji, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three VBIEDs, two tactical vehicles, two vehicles and two ISIS staging areas.

*Near Kirkuk, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a tactical vehicle, a heavy machine gun and an ISIS staging area.

*Near Mosul, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 11 fighting positions, two weapons caches, a mortar team, a medium machine gun, and a vehicle; damaged seven fighting positions; and suppressed a mortar team.

*Near Rawah, one strike destroyed an IED storage facility.

Additionally, eight strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 5-7 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*On June 5, near Raqqah, Syria, four strikes destroyed an IED factory, an ISIS headquarters, an ISIS financial center, and an ISIS staging area.

*On June 6, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS headquarters, a fighting position and a tunnel entrance.

*On June 7, near Raqqah, Syria, one strike destroyed six fighting positions and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

*On June 7, near Mosul, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed a fighting position and a medium machine gun, and damaged nine ISIS supply routes.

Achtduizend vlieguren boven Irak en Syrië.

De Belgische F-16’s hebben op 8 juni 2017 de kaap van achtduizend vlieguren tijdens operatie Desert Falcon (ODF) bereikt.

Sinds oktober 2014 voeren de toestellen opdrachten uit boven Irak en later Syrië. Daar geven ze luchtsteun aan grondtroepen, vallen ze doelwitten van Islamitische Staat (IS) aan en voeren ze verkenningsopdrachten uit. Achtduizend vlieguren, dat betekent achtduizend uur lang luchtsteun geven aan grondtroepen, doelwitten van IS aanvallen en verkenningsopdrachten uitvoeren boven Irak en sinds 2016 ook boven Syrië.

Om die opdrachten naar behoren uit te kunnen voeren, beschikken de F-16’s over een aantal hoogtechnologische snufjes, zoals de sniper pod, een krachtige visuele en infraroodcamera waarmee de piloot doelwitten kan identificeren. Ook de piloot zelf is hoogtechnologisch uitgerust. Zijn helm heeft niet zomaar een vizier, maar een scherm waarop alle wapensystemen van zijn toestel worden geprojecteerd.

Coalition statement on At Tanf

SOUTHWEST ASIA – A U.S. aircraft shot down an armed pro-Syria regime Unmanned Aerial Vehicle after it fired on Coalition forces in Southern Syria, June 8.

The pro-regime UAV, similar in size to a U.S. MQ-1 Predator, was shot down by a U.S. aircraft after it dropped one of several weapons it was carrying near a position occupied by Coalition personnel who are training and advising partner ground forces in the fight against ISIS.

The shoot down follows an earlier engagement in the day in which Coalition forces destroyed two pro-regime armed technical vehicles that advanced toward Coalition forces at At Tanf inside the established de-confliction zone threatening Coalition and partner forces.

The Coalition’s mission is to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The Coalition does not seek to fight Syrian regime, Russian or pro-regime forces partnered with them. The demonstrated hostile intent and actions of pro-regime forces near Coalition and partner forces in southern Syria, however, continue to concern us and the Coalition will take appropriate measures to protect our forces.

The Coalition presence in Syria addresses the imminent threat ISIS in Syria poses globally, which is beyond the capability of the Syrian Regime to address. Coalition forces have been located at At Tanf for more than a year. The garrison is a temporary Coalition location to train vetted forces to defeat ISIS and will not be vacated until ISIS is defeated.

As long as pro-regime forces are oriented toward Coalition and partnered forces the potential for conflict is escalated. Coalition forces are oriented on ISIS in the Euphrates River Valley. The Coalition calls on all parties to focus their efforts in the same direction to defeat ISIS, which is our common enemy and the greatest threat to regional and worldwide peace and security.

On June 7, Coalition military forces conducted 38 strikes consisting of 75 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 30 strikes consisting of 43 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed two ISIS front-end loaders, two ISIS backhoes, two ISIS fuel storage trailers, an ISIS excavator and a vehicle.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle.

*Near Mayadin, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

*Near Raqqah, 22 strikes [1-2 British] engaged 16 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 12 fighting positions, three vehicles, two ISIS staging areas, an ISIS excavator, an ISIS weapons cache, and an ISIS training camp.

*Near Tabqah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four vehicles, two fighting positions and a supply cache.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 32 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Al Qaim, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and a tactical vehicle.

*Near Bayji, one strike destroyed a VBIED and a VBIED staging area.

*Near Kirkuk, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, a command and control node and a VBIED.

*Near Mosul, three strikes [1 British] engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed 15 fighting positions, three heavy machine guns, two VBIEDs, and a sniper position; and damaged a fighting position and a command and control node.

Additionally, five strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 6 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, one strike destroyed four ISIS oil tanks.

*Near Tabqah, Syria, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles and a tactical vehicle.

*Near Mosul, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed a command and control nodeand a heavy machine gun and damaged nine ISIS supply routes.

*Near Rawah, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

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.

Wednesday 7 June – a Reaper killed two terrorists planting booby-traps in Raqqa, while a Tornado and a Typhoon attacked two Daesh-held buildings south-west of the city…

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.

Royal Air Force aircraft have provided close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who are now fighting Daesh on the outskirts of Raqqa. In Mosul, our aircraft are continuing to assist Iraqi troops in clearing remaining Daesh positions in and around the city.

A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft flew an armed reconnaissance patrol over northern Raqqa on Wednesday 7 June. It observed two extremists burying booby-traps along routes into the city. Hellfire missiles were deployed, killing both. Some 45 miles south-west of Raqqa, a mixed pair of Tornado and Typhoon fast jets used a Brimstone missile to hit one Daesh-held building. A Paveway IV guided bomb left a second target on fire.

On June 6, Coalition military forces conducted 28 strikes consisting of 70 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes consisting of 35 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed three vehicles and a front-end loader.

*Near At Tanf, one strike engaged a pro-Syrian regime tactical unit, destroyed two artillery systems and an anti-air artillery system, and damaged a tank.

*Near Raqqah, 17 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, two ISIS bridges, two vehicles, an ISIS boat, and an ISIS communications tower.

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

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 35 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Bayji, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS staging areas and two vehicles.

*Near Mosul, four strikes [1 Australian] engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed 20 fighting positions, two heavy machine guns, a supply cache, a mortar system, a vehicle, and a rocket-propelled grenade system; damaged a command and control node, an ISIS supply route, and a fighting position; and suppressed a mortar team.

*Near Rawah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four ISIS staging areas, an ISIS headquarters, and an ISIS warehouse.

Additionally, eight strikes were conducted in Syria and Iraq on June 5 that closed within the last 24 hours.

*Near Raqqah, Syria, seven strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two ISIS staging areas, two fighting positions, a VBIED factory, an ISIS tunnel, an ISIS sentry post, a vehicle, and a command and control node.

*Near Mosul, Iraq, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed an ISIS command and control node, a heavy machine gun, and an artillery system.

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.

06 June 2017

Operation OKRA – ADF Ai rstrikes for the period 19 May – 01 June 2017 Over the period 19 May – 1 Jun 2017, Air Task Group strike operations focused on supporting Iraqi Security Force operations to clear and secure Mosul from Daesh forces with a focus on the West Mosul area. On 19 May, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions over several hours of support.

On 21 May, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul and Hawijah. The Australian aircraft struck several Daesh fighting positions and ground lines of communication with guided munitions over several hours of support.

On 22 May, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions over several hours of support.

On 24 May, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh fighting position and a Daesh heavy weapon site with guided munitions over several hours of support.

On 27 May, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck several Daesh fighting positions and a Daesh heavy weapon site with guided munitions over several hours of support

On 28 May, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions over several hours of support.

On 29 May, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck Daesh fighting positions and a Daesh heavy weapon site with guided munitions over several hours of support.

On 30 May, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul. The Australian aircraft struck a Daesh heavy weapon site with a guided munition over several hours of support.

On 31 May, Australian F/A-18 Hornets supported Iraqi forces during operations in Mosul and Tal Afar. The Australian aircraft struck Daesh heavy weapon sites and Daesh fighting positions with guided munitions over several hours of support.