Chammal : journée d’appuis intensifs autour de Mossoul pour les soldats de l’opération Chammal

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Mise à jour : 15/03/2017

La journée du 13 mars représente une journée d’intense contribution du pilier « appui » des forces françaises de l’opération Chammal. Les canons et les avions français sont fortement sollicités par les soldats irakiens combattants au sol, sur les différents fronts de l’offensive visant à reprendre Mossoul Ouest.

Dans le sud de Mossoul-Ouest, les forces irakiennes des Fedpol (Police fédérale) et de l’ICTS (Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service) sont engagées dans un combat urbain pour la reconquête, maison par maison, de la partie occidentale de la ville. Les Rafale de la Base Aérienne Projetée (BAP), en patrouille de reconnaissance armée, sont sollicités à sept reprises afin de fournir un appui feu et d’assurer la destruction de positions défensives de Daech. Dans ce contexte d’affrontements à très courte distance, où l’imbrication des troupes s’ajoute à la complexité géographique des zones urbanisées, l’effort de discrimination et la précision des chasseurs équipés de bombes guidées sont déterminants et permettent de fournir des appuis. L’intervention des avions français permet de lever les uns après les autres les verrous rencontrés par les combattants irakiens sur leurs axes de progression.

Plus au nord, en appui des combats à proximité de la ville de Badush, destinés à isoler définitivement Mossoul, la Task Force Wagram (TFW) contribue à l’appui des combats au sol en réalisant un tir massif d’artillerie pour appuyer l’offensive d’une brigade irakienne de la 9e division. Pendant plus d’une heure, alors que les combattants irakiens montent à l’assaut, les quatre canons CAESAR entretiennent des tirs précis et réguliers sur les positions des combattants de Daech solidement retranchés dans les bâtiments d’un hameau vidé de ses habitants et transformé en position défensive.

Plus tard dans la journée, la TW Wagram réalise 6 autres missions d’appui aux opérations dans le même secteur.

Les actions des soldats de l’opération Chammal, au sein de l’opération Inherent Resolve, se font en phase avec les avancées des soldats irakiens sur le terrain. L’intense activité des troupes irakiennes engagées dans des combats sans merci dans l’offensive visant à reprendre Mossoul Ouest, a conduit les artilleurs et les aviateurs de l’opération Chammal, à intervenir à de nombreuses reprises et à mettre hors de combat en une journée un grand nombre de véhicules, de pièces d’artillerie, et plusieurs dizaines de combattants terroristes.

La complémentarité des capacités et des effets offerts par les différents moyens d’appui de l’opération Chammal, permet de combiner ou d’adapter les appuis aux besoins des combats en zone urbaine dense ou en zones plus ouvertes entourant la ville de Mossoul, et de soutenir efficacement les soldats irakiens dans les combats menés contre Daech.

Lancée depuis le 19 septembre 2014, « Chammal » est le nom donné à l’opération française au sein de l’opération Inherent Resolve. Elle 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 (Task Force Narvik et Monsabert) et un pilier « appui » consistant à soutenir l’action des forces locales engagées au sol contre Daech et frapper en profondeur les capacités militaires du groupe terroriste (bases aériennes projetée ou permanente, TF Wagram).

On Mar. 12, Coalition military forces conducted 13 strikes consisting of 90 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of 8 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes [1 British] engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and an ISIS headquarters.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an oil refinement still and work rig.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 82 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Mosul, six strikes [1 British] engaged six ISIS tactical units, an ISIS staging area and an ISIS sniper team; destroyed 16 fighting positions, five VBIEDs, four mortar systems, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two supply caches, two VBIED factories, and a vehicle; damaged 22 supply routes; and suppressed 14 ISIS mortar teams, two ISIS tactical units, and an ISIS sniper team.

* Tal Afar, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed six ISIS-held buildings, two weapons caches, and a bunker.

Sunday 12 March – Tornados bombed a large Daesh headquarters in Syria, just south of Raqqa, while Typhoons destroyed a Mosul strongpoint…On Sunday 12 March, Tornados armed with Enhanced Paveway II weapons conducted a carefully planned strike on a large Daesh headquarters in Syria, situated a couple of miles south of Raqqa. The attack had to be delivered through heavy cloud, but both of the target buildings were destroyed by direct hits. Support to the Mosul operation also continued, with Typhoons demolishing a strong-point which the Iraqi forces had encountered during their advance.

On Mar. 11, Coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes consisting of 82 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

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

*Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed a well head.

*Near Ar Raqqah, 12 strikes, engaged three ISIS tactical units and two ISIS staging areas; destroyed three fighting positions, two tanker trucks, a weapons storage facility, a well head, an ISIS-held building, and an anti-air artillery system; and damaged two bridges.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed an oil inlet manifold and a well head.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 67 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

*Near Bayji, one strike destroyed a tactical vehicle.

*Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and an ISIS sniper team; destroyed seven fighting positions, three ISIS-held buildings, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, a medium machine gun, a VBIED, an artillery system, and a watercraft; damaged 20 supply routes and an ISIS-held building; and suppressed 15 mortar teams and five ISIS tactical units.

*Near Sinjar, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed two ISIS-held buildings, two ISIS headquarters, and two supply caches.”

On Mar. 10, Coalition military forces conducted 28 strikes consisting of 111 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes consisting of 25 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two pieces of engineering equipment and a vehicle.

* Near Ar Raqqah, nine strikes, engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed four fighting positions, two ISIS-held buildings, two watercraft, two weapons factories, a tunnel, a vehicle, and a VBIED; and damaged a supply route.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, eight strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed two well heads; and damaged four supply routes and a crane.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 86 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Asad, one strike destroyed two tactical vehicles.

* Near Bayji, one strike suppressed an ISIS heavy machine gun team.

* Near Kirkuk, one strike destroyed a vehicle and a mortar system.

* Near Kisik, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, an ISIS-held building, and a mortar system.

* Near Mosul, four strikes [2 British] engaged three ISIS tactical units, an ISIS heavy machine gun team and an ISIS sniper team; destroyed six fighting positions, two heavy machine guns, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two VBIEDs, two VBIED factories, two mortar systems, a command and control node, a tactical vehicle, a roadblock, a supply cache, and an ISIS-held building; damaged eight supply routes and an ISIS-held building; and suppressed 17 ISIS mortar teams and ten ISIS tactical units.

* Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed a VBIED and weapons cache.”

Friday 10 March – Typhoons provided very close air support to Iraqi troops in and around Mosul, hitting three targets…Two flights of Paveway-armed Typhoons maintained a presence in the Mosul area on Friday 10 March. One pair destroyed a mortar team on a hill above the Tigris, to the west of the city, then eliminated a group of Daesh fighters engaged in close combat with Iraqi troops inside western Mosul. The second flight also struck a Daesh position inside the city. This was again a challenging target, given the proximity of friendly forces, but the attack was accomplished successfully.

On Mar. 9, Coalition military forces conducted 32 strikes consisting of 104 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes consisting of 34 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Ar Raqqah, 13 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units; destroyed four vehicles, a fighting position, a tactical vehicle, an ISIS headquarters, and a VBIED factory; and damaged three supply routes.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed fives barges, four well heads, and a weapons factory; and damaged an ISIS-held building.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 13 strikes consisting of 70 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

*Near Al Huwayjah, one strike damaged a tunnel.

*Near Bayji, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, and a weapons cache.

*Near Mosul, six strikes [2 British] engaged five ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed 11 vehicles, nine mortar systems, eight fighting positions, five VBIEDs, two medium machine guns, two roadblocks, two watercraft, an anti-air artillery system, a supply cache, an ammunition cache, and a recoilless rifle; damaged 15 supply routes; and suppressed 10 mortar teams.

*Near Sinjar, two strikes destroyed a weapons storage facility and an ISIS headquarters

*Near Tal Afar, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and an ISIS staging area.

Thursday 9 March – Typhoons and Tornados attacked five targets in Mosul, as well as a Daesh tunnel to the west of Kirkuk…A Coalition surveillance patrol observed a Daesh tunnel system some 30 miles west of Kirkuk on Thursday 9 March. Royal Air Force Typhoons used a single Paveway IV guided bomb to collapse the tunnel entrance. The Typhoons then flew north-west to support Iraqi forces in western Mosul. Two choke-points had been identified on the road network into a district which the Iraqi troops were clearing. These choke-points were duly struck with Paveway IVs to prevent any Daesh reinforcements or truck-bombs being moved into the area. Tornados were also active that day over Mosul. They successfully used a total of three Paveway IVs to engage two mortars and a building from which Daesh fighters were firing at the Iraqi forces.

On Mar. 8, Coalition military forces conducted 22 strikes consisting of 82 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes consisting of 21 engagements against ISIS targets.

*Near Ar Raqqah, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed three weapons caches, two mortar systems, an artillery system, an ISIS training center, a vehicle, a VBIED, and a fighting position.



*Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed two barges, five well heads, a fighting positions, and a vehicle; and damaged two barges.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 61 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

*Mosul, fives strikes [1-2 British] engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed six vehicles, five tanker trucks, four mortar systems, 4 VBIEDs, two supply caches, a fighting position, an artillery system, an ISIS-held building, a tactical vehicle, an ISIS headquarters, and a weapons storage facility; damaged 32 supply routes; and suppressed nine mortar teams, a sniper team, a medium machine gun team, and an ISIS tactical unit.

*Near Rawah, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit; and destroyed two heavy machine guns and a weapons cache.

*Tal Afar, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; and destroyed two vehicles, an ISIS-held building, and a tactical vehicle.

Wednesday 8 March – Tornados engaged a mortar position north-west of Mosul, and Daesh extremists, including a sniper, within the city…On Wednesday 8 March, a pair of Tornados initially operated north-west of Mosul, where they struck a mortar position on the south bank of the Tigris using a Paveway IV. They then provided direct support to Iraqi forces inside western Mosul, engaging a sniper who was firing on the Iraqis, and hitting a building defended by a number of terrorists.

Opération Chammal

En Syrie le recul de Daech se poursuit. Après avoir dû se retirer d’Al Bab la semaine passée, l’organisation terroriste a perdu cette semaine le contrôle de la ville de Palmyre, tandis que la manœuvre d’isolement de Raqqah au Nord de l’Euphrate est sur le point de s’achever.

En Irak, Daech tente d’entretenir l’insécurité en poursuivant sa campagne d’actions asymétriques, en particulier dans l’Anbar, dans une logique de dispersion des forces engagées contre elle.

En périphérie de Mossoul Ouest, la manœuvre d’encerclement menée par les forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) progresse dans sa partie occidentale. Les combats qui ont lieu depuis le début de la semaine autour de la localité de Badush au Nord-Ouest de la ville en sont la conséquence.

Dans la partie sud de Mossoul Ouest, les FSI poursuivent également leur progression dans le centre urbain et se trouvent désormais aux portes du centre historique. Avançant toujours le long du Tigre depuis l’aéroport, les combattants de la police fédérale et de l’ICTS sécurisent méthodiquement chaque quartier, faisant face à une défense féroce des combattants terroristes. Dans le même temps, Daech maintient ses actions de harcèlement contre la partie orientale de Mossoul, en réalisant des tirs de mortiers sporadiques et aveugles.

Appui aérien au Levant

Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 29 sorties aériennes dont 26 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), et 3 de recueil de renseignement. 9 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français, elles ont permis la destruction de 12 objectifs.

En Irak, les 8 frappes ont toutes été réalisées en appui des opérations sur Mossoul. Elles s’inscrivent dans le cadre de l’appui des troupes irakiennes engagées dans l’offensive visant à reprendre la partie ouest de Mossoul. Elles ont ciblé des positions de mortier et des positions défensives dans la ville de Mossoul elle-même, ainsi que dans la périphérie de Badush.

En Syrie, dans la région de Raqqah, une patrouille de Rafale a été engagée en mission d’appui des troupes au sol pour neutraliser des combattants de Daech menant une attaque contre des forces démocratiques syriennes.

Appui feu – Task Force Wagram

Cette semaine, l’effort du détachement de la Task Force (TF) Wagram, désormais regroupée sur une même emprise au nord de Mossoul, s’est intensifié. Les appuis ont marqué l’effort au profit des troupes engagées au sol dans la région de Badush.

53 missions ont été réalisées cette semaine. Elles comprennent 22 actions de neutralisation, destruction ou harcèlement visant soit à détruire des positions défensives adverses, soit à empêcher tout mouvement des groupes de combattants de Daech. 31 missions d’éclairement ont également été effectuées afin d’entraver les tentatives d’infiltration de la part de groupes de combattants terroristes cherchant à mener des actions de harcèlement nocturne contre les FSI.

On Mar. 7, Coalition military forces conducted 32 strikes consisting of 100 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes consisting of 25 engagements against ISIS targets.

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

*Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes destroyed three fighting positions, two tunnels, a vehicle repair facility, and a tactical vehicle.

*Near Dayr Az Zawr, 13 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed six well heads, three gas oil separation plants, a vehicle, a fighting position, a VBIED, a weapons storage facility, and a tank.

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

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 75 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

*Near Al Qaim, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles.

*Near Bayji, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and an ISIS staging area.

*Near Mosul, six strikes [1-2 British] engaged five ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed nine fighting positions, four mortar systems, three VBIEDs, two VBIED factories, two vehicles, a supply cache, a UAV launch site, a medium machine gun, an ISIS-held building, a watercraft, and a command and control node; damaged 11 supply routes and a fighting position; and suppressed two ISIS tactical units and a sniper team.

*Near Sinjar, one strike destroyed an artillery system and two supply caches.

*Near Tal Afar, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building, a weapons cache, a tactical vehicle, an ISIS headquarters, and an improvised weapons factory.

Tuesday 7 March – Tornados eliminated a sniper team in Mosul, while Typhoons cut a road linking Mosul with Daesh positions to the north-west…Similar work was performed by Paveway-armed Typhoons the following day [March 7th], when they cut a major highway leading out of Mosul towards positions still held by Daesh to the north-west of the city. Inside Mosul, a Tornado flight used a Paveway IV to deal very effectively with a sniper team which was holding up an Iraqi advance.

On Mar. 6, Coalition military forces conducted 32 strikes consisting of 92 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes consisting of 31 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed a gas oil separation plant and damaged a bridge.

* Near Al Shadaddi, one strike [1 British?] destroyed an ISIS headquarters.

* Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed a footbridge and an ISIS-held building.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, 16 strikes destroyed nine well heads, six fighting positions, three oil inlet manifolds, three barges, a pump jack, and a connex; and damaged three supply routes and two bridges.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes consisting of 61 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Huwayjah, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; and destroyed a tunnel complex.

* Near Al Qaim, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an anti-air artillery system and a vehicle.



* Near Mosul, five strikes [1 British] engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, five VBIEDs, four vehicles, three roadblocks, two mortar systems, two tactical vehicles, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, a supply cache, an artillery system, a sniper position, a UAV launch site, and a VBIED factory; damaged 23 vehicles, 10 supply routes, and a tunnel; and suppressed two mortar teams.

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

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

Monday 6 March – Typhoons demolished a Daesh headquarters in eastern Syria, while Tornados struck terrorist supply routes within Mosul…Careful intelligence analysis allowed the Coalition to pinpoint the location of a Daesh headquarters at a compound in a remote area of eastern Syria. Two Typhoons were dispatched from RAF Akrotiri on Monday 6 March, targeting the two key buildings within the compound. Both were demolished by Paveway IV guided bombs. Tornados meanwhile supported Iraqi ground operations in western Mosul by using Paveway IVs to strike three key routes within the city, helping to prevent Daesh from sending reinforcements or truck-bombs to areas being successfully liberated by the Iraqi troops.

On Mar. 5, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes consisting of 83 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

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

* Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed a well head and an oil inlet manifold.

* Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed two vehicles; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed four tactical vehicles, four ISIS-held buildings, two well heads, two engineering equipment pieces and a tank.

* Near Manbij, two strikes destroyed a vehicle and an artillery system.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 72 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Kisik, one strike destroyed an improvised weapons factory.

* Near Mosul, six strikes [2-3 British] engaged six ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed 11 fighting positions, eight mortar systems, seven vehicles, four VBIEDs, three ISIS-held buildings, two medium machine guns, two command and control nodes, two roadblocks, a heavy machine gun, an artillery system, and an ISIS checkpoint; damaged 11 supply routes, eight vehicles, and two fuel tanker trucks; and suppressed 10 mortar teams and three ISIS tactical units.

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

* Near Tal Afar, one strike [1 British?] engaged an ISIS tactical unit and an ISIS staging area; and destroyed two vehicles, a fighting position, and a cave entrance.

Sunday 5 March – Tornados destroyed a Daesh-held building and tunnel on the banks of the Tigris, while Typhoons hit two targets in Mosul, as well as a cave and fortified position near Tall Afar…On Sunday 5 March, a pair of Typhoons operated around Tall Afar. They used Paveway IVs to target successfully a cave where terrorists had set up base, together with a near-by fortified position. A second pair of Typhoons maintained close air support over western Mosul, where they bombed first a Daesh strong-point and then a checkpoint that had been established in a large building on the outskirts to control a route out of the city. 20 miles north-west of Mosul, another Daesh location had been detected, with terrorists occupying a building on the banks of the Tigris. Tornados struck the building, and then used a further Paveway IV to collapse a tunnel that had been dug close by.

On Mar. 4, Coalition military forces conducted 13 strikes consisting of 57 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

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

* Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed a weapons storage facility.

* Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes engaged an ISIS staging area and damaged a supply route.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes destroyed five oil well heads and an oil inlet manifold.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of 49 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Mosul, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and a rocket-propelled grenade team; destroyed nine fighting positions, a heavy machine gun, an ISIS-held building, and a mortar system; damaged 26 supply routes; and suppressed 15 mortar teams.

* Near Rawah, two strikes destroyed a fuel storage tank and an ISIS-held building.

On Mar. 3, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes consisting of 69 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

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

* Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed a gas oil separation plant.

* Near Ar Raqqah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed four fighting positions, a VBIED factory, and a VBIED staging area.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike damaged a bridge.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of 62 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed an improvised weapons factory.

* Near Mosul, three strikes [2 British] engaged an ISIS tactical unit and an ISIS staging area; destroyed 21 mortar systems, 13 fighting positions, five heavy machine guns, four medium machine guns, and an ISIS headquarters; and damaged five supply routes.

Friday 3 March – Typhoons and Tornados struck seven Daesh targets in western Mosul…Tornados experienced similarly difficult cloud conditions on Friday 3 March, when they struck four Daesh-held buildings in western Mosul. The Iraqi ground forces reported that all four targets had been safely destroyed, with at least one heavy machine-gun also put out of action. Typhoons also engaged a further three targets in the city, striking a road junction to prevent Daesh moving supplies and truck-bombs along the route, and eliminating sniper and light machine-gun teams.

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve

Monthly Civilian Casualty Report

SOUTHWEST ASIA- During the month of January 2017, CJTF-OIR carried over 10 open reports of possible civilian casualties from previous months, received 27 new reports, and completed the assessment on 19 reports resulting from Coalition strikes in Iraq and Syria in the fight to defeat ISIS. Ten of these reports were assessed to be non-credible and nine were assessed to be credible. A total of 19 reports are still open and being assessed at the end of the month. Coalition strikes are defined as ground artillery or air strikes conducted as part of the Coalition Air Tasking Order.

CJTF-OIR takes all reports of civilian casualties seriously and assesses all reports as thoroughly as possible. Although we are unable to investigate all reports of possible civilian casualties using traditional investigative methods, such as by interviewing witnesses and examining the site, the Coalition interviews pilots and other personnel involved in the targeting process, reviews strike and surveillance video if available, and analyzes information provided by government agencies, non-governmental organizations, partner forces and traditional and social media. In addition, the Coalition considers new information when it becomes available in order to promote a thorough and continuous review process.

After a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of each civilian casualty report, CJTF-OIR assessed that the following 10 reports are non-credible. Non-credible means that at this time there is not sufficient information available to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.

1. Nov. 2, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

2. Nov. 19, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, via media report: After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

3. Dec. 22, 2016, near Ar Raqqah, Syria, via media report: After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in the strikes conducted in this area on that day.

4. Dec. 30, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via NGO report: After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

5. Dec. 30, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in the strikes conducted in this area on that day.

6. Jan. 3, 2017, Sarmada, Syria, via social media report: The report contained insufficient information on the time, location and details of strike to assess its credibility.

7. Jan. 10, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video it was assessed that no civilians were harmed in this strike.

8. Jan. 10, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: After a review of available information and strike video there was insufficient information to assess that any civilians were harmed in this strike.

9. Jan. 12, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via NGO report: After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.

10. Jan. 17, 2017 near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report: After a review of available information and/or strike video it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in this geographic area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Although the Coalition takes extraordinary efforts to strike military targets in a manner that minimizes the risk of civilian casualties, in some incidents casualties are unavoidable. Nine reports were assessed to be credible resulting in the unintended death of 21 and injury to two civilians.

A credible assessment means it is more likely than not a Coalition strike resulted in a civilian casualty. In each of the incidents below, the investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the Law of Armed Conflict, unintended civilian casualties unfortunately occurred.

1. Nov. 14, 2016, near Tal Afar, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS checkpoint it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured when the vehicle he was driving approached the checkpoint just prior to the munition’s impact.

2. Nov. 27, 2016, near Dayr Az Zayr, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS oil tanker trucks it was assessed that three civilians were killed. After warning shots were fired to dislodge drivers from the vehicles a number of the trucks scattered. Three of the trucks were subsequently engaged, destroyed, and their drivers presumed killed. The other vehicles in the area were abandoned after the warning shots were fired and subsequently destroyed with no assessed civilian casualties.

3. Dec. 11, 2016, near Dayr Az Zayr, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on an ISIS oil tanker trucks it is assessed that five civilians were unintentionally killed. After warning shots were fired truck drivers vacated their vehicles and moved a safe distance away. Aircraft engaged targets and following munition release five of the drivers returned to their vehicles and were killed by munition’s impact.

4. Jan. 4, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a house it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally injured in the house.

5. Jan. 4, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a moving vehicle it was assessed that one civilian pedestrian was unintentionally killed near when the vehicle was struck.

6. Jan. 7, 2017, near As Sawa, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS oil tanker trucks it is assessed that two civilians were killed. After warning shots were fired to dislodge drivers from the vehicles a number of the trucks scattered. Two of the trucks were subsequently engaged, destroyed, and their drivers presumed killed. The other vehicles in the area were abandoned after the warning shots were fired and subsequently destroyed with no assessed civilian casualties.

7. Jan. 7, 2017, near Dayr Az Zayr, Syria, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS oil tanker trucks it is assessed that one civilian driver was unintentionally killed. After warning shots were fired to dislodge drivers from the vehicles, aircraft engaged the targets. After munitions’ impact a driver exited a vehicle and attempted to flee when he was killed by a secondary explosion from one of the oil tanker trucks.

8. Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a strike on ISIS fighters in a house it was assessed that eight civilians were unintentionally killed. During post-strike video analysis civilians were identified near the house who were not evident prior to the strike.

9. Jan. 14, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report: During a counter-fire strike on an ISIS mortar team it was assessed that one civilian was unintentionally killed when he entered the target area after weapon was fired.

Currently, 19 reports of civilian casualties are still being assessed:

1. Sept. 20, 2015, near Mosul, Iraq, via media report.

2. Sept. 17, 2016, near Al Tabqah, Syria, via self-report.

3. Dec. 20, 2016, near Al Tabqah, Syria, via media report.

4. Dec. 29, 2016, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report:

5. Jan. 2, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.

6. Jan. 2, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.

7. Jan. 6, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.

8. Jan. 13, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.

9. Jan. 15, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via social media report.

10. Jan. 16, 2017, near Raqqah, Syria, via self-report.

11. Jan. 17, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.

12. Jan. 19, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.

13. Jan. 22, 2017, near Al-Tabqah, Syria, via social media report.

14. Jan. 22, 2017, near Nayrab, Syria, via social media report.

15. Jan. 25, 2017, near Abu Jadi, Syria, via social media report.

16. Jan 26, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.

17. Jan. 30, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via self-report.

18. Jan. 31, 2017, near Dayr Az Zayr, Syria, via self-report.

19. Jan. 31, 2017, near Mosul, Iraq, via social media report.

The Coalition is in the process of conducting an audit of its civilian casualty report tracking and reporting from August 2014 to the present. The intent is always to be as thorough as possible in our investigations and as accurate and forthcoming as possible in our reporting.

To date, based on information available, CJTF-OIR assesses that, it is more likely than not, at least 220 civilians have been unintentionally killed by Coalition strikes since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve. We regret the unintentional loss of civilian lives resulting from Coalition efforts to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria and express our deepest sympathies to the families and others affected by these strikes.

On Mar. 2, Coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes consisting of 78 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

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

* Near Ar Raqqah, one strike destroyed a weapons storage facility.

* Near Palmyra, one strike damaged a bridge.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes consisting of 74 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed an ISIS storage facility.

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

* Near Mosul, two strikes [1 British] engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed six fighting positions, four heavy machine guns, three medium machine guns, two tunnels, a rocket-propelled grenade system, a VBIED, and a VBIED facility; damaged seven supply routes; and suppressed 22 mortar teams.

* Near Rawah, 10 strikes engaged an ISIS staging area and destroyed nine ISIS-held buildings.

Thursday 2 March – Typhoons hit a machine-gun position in western Mosul…Typhoons had to deal with heavy cloud over Mosul on Thursday 2 March, with the challenging weather conditions denying them clear sight of the target when an Iraqi unit came under machine-gun fire from a Daesh strong-point at short range. Despite these conditions, very careful coordination with the Iraqi troops allowed the Typhoons to hit the Daesh position accurately with a Paveway IV, without endangering friendly forces. The Iraqi unit reported that the machine-gun had been silenced and the threat to them eliminated.

CHAMMAL

APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION

Point de situation sur les opérations au 02 mars 2017

En Syrie, à Al Bab, les forces d’opposition soutenues par la Turquie ont pu saisir la ville après le retrait de Daech de la ville. En périphérie, les forces armées syriennes et les FDS tentent d’accentuer ce repli progressif des combattants de Daech vers l’Est. Si ce repli dessine un renforcement probable de Raqqah par les combattants exfiltrés, la menace d’actions asymétriques reste présente.

En Irak, Daech poursuit ses actions de harcèlement, notamment dans l’Anbar, par l’intermédiaire d’embuscades, de tirs de mortiers ou d’attaques par drones.

Dans la région de Mossoul, l’encerclement progressif de l’agglomération perturbe le ravitaillement de Daech même si l’étendue de la zone ne permet pas de garantir l’étanchéité du dispositif.

Dans la partie occidentale de la ville, le recul de Daech se poursuit. Près du Tigre, après la reprise de l’aéroport, les forces de police fédérale et l’ICTS continuent leur progression coordonnée vers le nord. Dans la périphérie ouest de Mossoul, les forces irakiennes avancent vers la prison de Badush et la crête d’Astanah. La résistance se durcit à mesure que le cercle se resserre et que les forces irakiennes s’approchent des zones urbanisées. A l’Est de la ville, Daech maintient ses actions de harcèlement par tirs indirects.

ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL

Appui aérien au Levant

Point de situation sur les opérations au 02 mars 2017

Cette semaine, les aéronefs ont réalisé 34 sorties aériennes dont 32 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS), et 2 de recueil de renseignement. 11 frappes ont été réalisées par les avions français, elles ont permis la destruction de 19 objectifs.

En Irak, les 6 frappes se sont concentrées dans la région de Mossoul. Elles s’inscrivent dans le cadre de l’appui des troupes irakiennes engagées dans l’offensive visant à reprendre la partie ouest de Mossoul. Elles ont ciblé des positions de mortier, des groupes de combattants, un dépôt logistique ainsi qu’un centre de commandement.

En Syrie, 2 missions d’appui des troupes au sol ont été conduites dans la région de Raqqah et de Der Er Zawr contre des pièces d’artillerie, un véhicule suicide, blindé, chargé d’engin explosif (SVBIED). L’intervention d’une patrouille de Rafale, après détection et guidage de l’ATL2, a par ailleurs permis la destruction de 2 puits de pétrole clandestins dans le sud-est de Raqqah.

Dans la région de Palmyre, 2 frappes planifiées ont été réalisées et ont permis la neutralisation d’un site de stockage de matériel militaire et d’un site de fabrication de véhicules piégés (VBIED).

Appui feu – TF Wagram

Cette semaine, le détachement de la Task Force (TF) Wagram déployé au nord de Mossoul a fourni un appui important aux troupes engagées au sol, avec un effort marqué à l’ouest de la ville.

Les 28 missions réalisées comprennent 21 de neutralisation, destruction ou harcèlement contre des positions de combattants, des pièces de mortier ou contre des tentatives d’infiltrations en bordure du Tigre.

7 missions d’éclairement ont également été effectuées pour interdire l’utilisation du terrain par Daech.

La reprise de l’offensive sur Mossoul-Ouest a marqué un tournant dans la physionomie de l’activité de la TF. Au cours des 3 dernières semaines, l’intensification des missions confiées à la TF et la proportion croissante de missions de neutralisation ou de destruction sont significatives. Cette évolution de l’activité est couplée aux progressions sur le terrain des forces de sécurité irakiennes, elle souligne l’importance et l’efficacité des appuis fournis par la partie française.

On Mar. 1, Coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 67 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

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

* Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes destroyed an ISIS training camp, an ISIS-held building, a weapons storage facility; and a VBIED factory.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed a well head and a pump jack.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of 62 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Mosul, four strikes [2 British] engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 19 fighting positions, four supply caches, four mortar systems, four VBIEDs, three tunnels, two recoilless rifles, two VBIED factories, an ISIS-held building, a command and control node; and a barge; damaged 10 supply routes and two tunnels; and suppressed 14 mortar teams and three ISIS tactical units.

* Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed a tactical vehicle.

Wednesday 1 March – Tornados and a Reaper struck five Daesh targets in western Mosul, including a truck-bomb factory…A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft assisted Iraqi troops in western Mosul on Wednesday 1 March, using a Hellfire missile and a GBU-12 guided bomb to eliminate Daesh fighters, including a sniper, engaged at close quarters with the Iraqis. The Reaper also used its surveillance sensors to check that a target area was clear of civilians before a coalition air strike. Two flights of Tornados armed with Paveway IVs also operated over western Mosul that day. The first pair destroyed a strong-point held by terrorists armed with light machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades, while the second pair dealt with a sniper before demolishing two buildings that were part of a factory producing truck-bombs.

On Feb. 28, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes consisting of 86 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes consisting of 15 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed six watercraft, an ISIS training camp, and an ISIS maintenance facility.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, seven strikes destroyed seven oil refinement stills, four well heads, a pump jack and a crane and damaged a bridge.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 71 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq 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 [1 British?] engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four bunkers, a weapons cache and a VBIED.

* Near Mosul, five strikes [1 British?] engaged three ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine mortar systems, six fighting positions, five VBIED facilities, three supply caches, three ISIS-held buildings, three VBIEDs, and an improvised weapons factory; damaged six supply routes; and suppressed 14 mortar teams and two ISIS tactical units.

* Near Tal Afar, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, a weapons cache and a recoilless rifle.

Tuesday 28 February – Tornados destroyed Daesh positions north-west of Mosul, and several terrorist positions south-west of Bayji…

Royal Air Force aircraft have continued to provide close air support to Iraqi forces as they methodically clear Daesh positions in western Mosul.

On Tuesday 28 February, a pair of Tornados used two Paveway IV guided bombs to attack a network of trenches and firing points, which a coalition aircraft had identified just to the north-west of the city. The aircraft then headed south, to a remote area south-west of Bayji, where a number of Daesh fighters had been spotted with a truck. The Tornados observed the extremists making preparations to dry out home-made explosives. Apparently becoming aware of the aircraft overhead, the fighters split into two groups and attempted to move away on foot. However the groups were tracked by a Tornado and both were struck by Paveway IVs.

On Feb. 27, Coalition military forces conducted 31 strikes consisting of 99 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes consisting of 18 engagements against ISIS targets.

* Near Ar Raqqah, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two well heads, two fighting positions, an oil storage tank, an ISIS-held building, an ISIS headquarters, a tunnel, a vehicle and a VBIED.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed nine oil refinement stills, two barges, a watercraft, a vehicle and an oil tanker truck.

* Near Palmyra, two strikes [1-2 British] destroyed five tanks.

In Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes consisting of 81 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq against ISIS targets.

* Near Al Qaim, 10 strikes [1 British] engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two VBIED factories, two ISIS media facilities, an IED factory, a weapons storage facility, an anti-air artillery system, a vehicle, a fuel storage tank, an ISIS staging facility and an ISIS financial facility.

* Near Baghdad, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS-held building.

* Near Mosul, five strikes [1 British] engaged four ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; destroyed seven mortar systems, four vehicles, four fighting positions, three ISIS-held buildings, two anti-air systems, two rocket-propelled grenade systems, two VBIEDs, a supply cache, a VBIED facility and a UAV control station; damaged six tunnels and six supply routes; and suppressed 21 mortar teams and an ISIS tactical unit.

Monday 27 February – Tornados struck a mortar team in Mosul and a Daesh tank in Palmyra, Syria, while a Reaper supported coalition air strikes at Al Qaim and destroyed an anti-aircraft gun…Tornados saw further action over western Mosul on Monday 27 February, when they struck another terrorist mortar team with a Paveway IV. The Tornado flight then headed west into Syria, where a main battle tank operated by Daesh had been identified at Tadmur, in the ancient city of Palmyra. A Brimstone missile scored a solid hit on the target. Close to Iraq’s border with Syria, a Reaper meanwhile provided surveillance support to coalition air strikes on two Daesh facilities in Al Qaim, manufacturing truck-bombs and other improvised explosive devices. An anti-aircraft gun was spotted, despite efforts to conceal it under cover, and was destroyed by one of the Reaper’s Hellfires.