On Jan. 2, Coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft as well as rocket artillery against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft as well as rocket artillery against ISIL targets.

Syria

. Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed three oil well heads.

. Near Al Shadaddi, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL-held building, a fighting position, a weapons cache, a VBIED, and a VBIED storage facility.

. Near Ar Raqqah, five strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, a weapons cache, and an ISIL-held building.

. Near Ayn Isa, one strike destroyed a VBIED.

. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed four oil refinement tanks and an oil tanker truck.

. Near Manbij, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.

Iraq

. Near Al Huwayjah, three strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a weapons cache, a piece of engineering equipment and an improvised weapons factory.

. Near Al Qaim, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a checkpoint.

. Near Bayji, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three tactical vehicles, an ISIL-held building, and an armored front-end loader.

. Near Haditha, one strike destroyed an ISIL-held building, a heavy machine gun, and a mortar system.

. Near Mosul, three strikes [1 British] engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed three buildings, a heavy machine gun, two mortars, a piece of engineering equipment, a VBIED, and a front-end loader; damaged 17 supply routes; and suppressed four mortar teams.

. Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a VBIED facility.

Monday 2 January – A British soldier was killed in a non-combat incident at a training base in Taji. Over Mosul, a Reaper engaged a terrorist position…

The British military training mission in Iraq sadly suffered a fatality on Monday 2 January, when Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington from the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment died in a non-combat incident at a training camp in Taji. Further information can be found here.

A Reaper patrol also on 2 January over Mosul provided surveillance support to coalition air strikes on terrorist fighters, including a recoilless anti-tank gun team, and employed a Hellfire to silence a Daesh rooftop position that was firing on Iraqi troops.

On Jan. 1, Coalition military forces conducted 26 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft as well as rocket artillery against ISIL targets.

Syria



. Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an oil well head and a crane.

. Near Ar Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, two oil storage tanks, and an ISIL checkpoint; damaged five supply routes, a bridge, and a trench.

. Near Ayn Isa, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a mortar system.

. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an oil well head, a drilling truck, a dump truck, and two oil tanker trucks.

. Near Idlib, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles.

Iraq

. Near Haditha, one strike destroyed an ISIL bunker.

. Near Kisik, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an observation post and a weapons cache.

. Near Mosul, six strikes [3 British] engaged four ISIL tactical units; destroyed four mortars, five VBIEDs, a heavy machine gun, a vehicle, an ISIL-held building, a pontoon bridge, and three VBIED factories; disabled two bridges; damaged 31 supply routes; and suppressed six mortar teams.

. Near Rawah, one strike destroyed two weapons storage facilities.

Sunday 1 January – Typhoons attacked a mortar position in northern Mosul, whilst a Reaper hit terrorist fighters and an armed truck in the south-east of the city…Similar Reaper operations occurred on New Year’s Day [Jan 1st], with our aircraft destroying a group of terrorists with one Hellfire, then using a second to knock out an armed truck which it had spotted reversing in and out of cover to fire bursts from a heavy machine-gun. A flight of Typhoon FGR4s were also active over northern Mosul, where they used a Paveway IV to attack a mortar position just to the north of the city.

On Dec. 31, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using fighter, fighter-attack, and bomber aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Iraq

* Near Hit, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) facility and destroyed two ISIL buildings.
* Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL fighting position.
* Near Mosul, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL heavy machine guns, six ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL command and control node, seven ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL weapons cache, an ISIL trench, and an ISIL VBIED.
* Near Ramadi, four strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL VBIED facility, five ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
* Near Sinjar, three strikes destroyed an ISIL fighting position and suppressed two ISIL heavy machine gun positions.
* Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike destroyed three ISIL weapons caches, an ISIL command and control node, and six ISIL fighting positions.
* Near Tal Afar, 11 strikes destroyed nine ISIL bunkers, five ISIL-used culverts, and four ISIL-used bridges.

Dans la nuit du 31 décembre 2015 au 01 janvier 2016, les Mirage 2000 déployés sur la Base aérienne projetée (BAP) en Jordanie ont effectué une frappe sur les zones contrôlées par Daech en Syrie.

La frappe visait des installations de l’industrie pétrolière située en Syrie dans la région de Raqqah. Réalisée en coordination avec la coalition, elle a été menée sur la base des renseignements collectés ces dernières semaines lors des vols de reconnaissance. L’objectif recherché par la destruction de ce type d’installation est d’affaiblir les capacités de financement de Daech en perturbant l’exploitation des ressources pétrolières dans les zones sous son contrôle.

Les appareils engagés dans cette mission (2Mirage 2000 D) ont débuté leur mission à 22h00, heure française. Les deux objectifs ciblés ont été détruits. Ce raid n’a pas nécessité de ravitaillement en vol.

On Dec. 30, Coalition military forces conducted 28 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes using attack, bomber, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, rotary, and remotely piloted aircraft as well as rocket artillery against ISIL targets.

Syria

* Near Ar Raqqah, 17 strikes engaged 14 ISIL tactical units; destroyed 12 fighting positions, three oil storage tanks, a VBIED, and an oil well head; damaged two supply routes; and suppressed a tactical unit.

* Near At Tanf, four strikes destroyed two VBIEDs.

Iraq

* Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed an ISIL-held building.

* Near Haditha, one strike damaged a fighting position.

* Near Mosul, four strikes [1 British] engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed five fighting positions, three mortar systems, three ISIL-held buildings, a vehicle, a crane, a weapons factory, a VBIED, and a mortar position; damaged 12 supply routes; and suppressed four mortar positions.

* Near Qayyarah, one strike destroyed an ISIL weapons storage facility.

Friday 30 December – A Reaper engaged two groups of terrorists engaged in combat with Iraqi forces inside Mosul…A Reaper continued patrols over eastern Mosul on Friday 30 December. It provided targeting assistance to coalition air attacks on a Daesh-held compound and a group of extremists, and used its Hellfire missiles to intervene with great precision in two actions where Iraqi troops were engaged in close combat with terrorist fighters.

On Dec. 29, Coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes using attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, rotary, and remotely piloted aircraft as well as rocket artillery against ISIL targets.

Syria

. Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed three oil well heads and a oil tanker truck.
. Near Al Shadaddi, one strike suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
. Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed a command and control node, a weapons cache, and a fighting position.
. Near Manbij, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.
. Near Palmyra, three strikes [1 British] destroyed three ISIL-held artillery systems, a crane, a heavy machine gun, and a tank.

Iraq

. Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL-held building.
. Near Al Qaim, three strikes destroyed a VBIED facility, an IED factory, and an ISIL-held building.
. Near Mosul four strikes [3-4 British] engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed 11 ISIL-held buildings, five supply caches, three tactical vehicles, two mortar systems, two fighting positions, two VBIEDs, a tunnel, an observation post, a research lab, a command and control node, an up-armored VBIED, two barges, and two artillery pieces; suppressed five mortar teams; and damaged 20 supply routes and two repeater towers.

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Today, with Coalition air and artillery support, the Iraqi Security Forces announced that several elements of the Iraqi Army, Federal Police and Counter Terrorism Service initiated a simultaneous advance along three axes in Mosul to defeat ISIL.

On the north axis, units of the 16th Division of the Iraqi Army advanced south to clear additional neighborhoods as they take new ground. On the east axis, Counter Terrorism Service units pushed west and south along two fronts. On the south axis, units of the Federal Police began clearing neighborhoods to the North.

The Iraqi multi-axis advance opens two new fronts within the city and increases pressure on ISIL’s dwindling ability to generate forces, move fighters or resupply. Since the start of the Mosul operation on Oct. 17, the Coalition has struck ISIL with more than 7,650 munitions in support of the Iraqi Security Forces. Additionally, at the request of the government of Iraq, the Coalition re-struck Mosul Bridges #4 and #5 Tuesday, and disabled Bridge #1 Monday, the last bridge crossing the Tigris River inside Mosul. The strikes were conducted to reduce enemy freedom of movement, and to further disrupt ISIL’s ability to reinforce, resupply, or use vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices in East Mosul.

Coalition forces provide operational advice and assistance to Iraqi units along with intelligence, logistics, artillery and air support to the Iraqi Security Forces in a partnership to defeat ISIL in Iraq. Support is being provided in response to requests by the government of Iraq and in a deliberate and consultative manner to avoid unnecessary casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

SOUTHWEST ASIA- During operations to liberate Mosul on Dec. 29, a Coalition air strike struck a van carrying ISIL fighters observed firing a SPG9/RPG recoilless rifle before loading the weapon in the van and driving off. The van was struck in what was later determined to be a hospital compound parking lot resulting in possible civilian casualties.

CJTF-OIR takes all allegations of civilian casualties seriously and this incident will be fully investigated and the findings released in a timely and transparent manner.

CJTF-OIR releases monthly reports covering our tracking and investigation of allegations of civilian casualties. Coalition forces comply with the Law of Armed Conflict, work diligently to be precise in our airstrikes, and take all feasible precautions during the planning and execution of airstrikes to reduce the risk of harm to civilians.

OPÉRATION CHAMMAL: APPRÉCIATION DE SITUATION

Au Levant, Daech continue d’être sous la pression des forces locales appuyées par la coalition mais l’organisation terroriste conserve combativité dans ses modes d’action et résilience dans le soutien logistique de ses combattants. En Irak, les mauvaises conditions météorologiques ont contraint les forces de sécurité irakiennes (FSI) à baisser le tempo de leurs opérations de reconquête. En particulier, dans la région de Mossoul où elles ne pouvaient plus bénéficier d’un appui permanent de la coalition. Daech a mis cette période à profit pour harceler les forces irakiennes sur la ligne de front et mener des actions à fort retentissement médiatique dans la profondeur. Dans le but de contraindre les FSI à desserrer l’étau autour de Mossoul, l’organisation a mené plusieurs attaques dans la vallée de l’Anbar dans le secteur des trois frontières. En Syrie, l’organisation terroriste est également sous la pression des forces locales face à laquelle elle oppose une vive résistance à l’approche de ses zones sanctuaires. Elle a multiplié les attaques et les tirs indirects pour la défense de la ville d’Al-Bab, à proximité de la frontière turque, empêchant toute progression des unités engagées au sol. En revanche, les forces démocratiques syriennes ont poursuivi leur progression dans la région de Raqqah en s’emparant de zones le long du Tigre en direction de la ville de Tabqah. Les mauvaises conditions météorologiques ont encore perturbé les opérations au sol cette semaine. Les FSI ont tiré profit de cette prolongation de la pause opérationnelle pour sécuriser les quartiers conquis récemment. Daech a poursuivi ses actions de harcèlement sur la ligne de front (snipers, tirs de mortier,…) et mené des actions sur les arrières. Le 22 décembre, l’organisation terroriste ainsi a perpétré un attentat dans le quartier de Gogjali contre un marché populaire.

ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL

Malgré des conditions météorologiques dégradées, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont poursuivi leurs missions aériennes contre Daech et appuyé les FSI dès que possible. Depuis le 21 décembre, ils ont réalisé 58 sorties dont 48 de reconnaissances armées, 5 de recueil de renseignement par l’Atlantique 2 et les Rafale et 5 de ravitaillement par le C135 FR. Au total, 6 frappes ont été menées par les Rafale contre Daech et ont détruit 6 objectifs. Les frappes réalisées se sont concentrées dans la région de Mossoul en Irak. Elles visaient à appuyer les forces de sécurité irakiennes engagées dans la reprise de la ville. En particulier, plusieurs frappes ont neutralisé des snipers et des groupes de combattant de Daech qui harcelaient les forces de l’ICTS.

Thursday 29 December – Tornados and a Reaper struck five Daesh targets in Mosul, with the Tornados also destroying an artillery weapons north of Palmyra in Syria…The major focus for Royal Air Force operations against the Daesh terrorist network has continued to provide support to the Iraqi offensive to liberate Mosul. Two Tornado GR4s and a Reaper patrolled over the city on Thursday 29 December. The Reaper used its advanced sensors for the vital task of scanning for any sign of civilians who might be placed at risk by the fighting. It also provided surveillance assistance to five coalition air attacks that struck two communications towers, a mortar, a transport vehicle and a recoilless anti-tank gun, as well as conducting three successful attacks using its own Hellfire missiles against a mortar team firing from a treeline and two groups of terrorist fighters located in south-east Mosul. The Tornados meanwhile used a Brimstone missile to destroy a cart laden with weapons in a street in eastern Mosul, and Paveway IV guided bombs against an artillery position hidden amongst trees in parkland in northern Mosul. The GR4s were then tasked to fly west into Syria to deal with a terrorist artillery piece, mounted on a trailer, which had been identified a couple miles north of Palmyra. The weapon was destroyed by a direct hit from a Brimstone.

On Dec. 28, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft as well as rocket artillery against ISIL targets.

Syria

. Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an oil well head.

. Near Ar Raqqah, six strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units; destroyed a fighting position, a heavy machine gun, a mortar system, and a vehicle; and disabled a bridge.

. Near Palmyra, one strike destroyed an ISIL-held tank.

Iraq

. Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed seven front-end loaders, four command and control nodes, two land bridges, a VBIED factory, a vehicle, and a steam roller; and damaged 24 supply routes.

On Dec. 27, Coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes using attack and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, rotary, and remotely piloted aircraft as well as rocket artillery against ISIL targets.

Syria

. Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a tactical vehicle.

. Near Ar Raqqah, 13 strikes engaged [1 British] seven ISIL tactical units; destroyed 11 fighting positions, a surface-to-air missile truck and a radar truck, a heavy machine gun, and a mortar system; damaged two supply routes; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.

. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed two supply caches.

Iraq

. Near Kirkuk, one strike engaged an ISL tactical unit and destroyed a tractor.

. Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed four mortar systems, two VBIED factories, an unmanned aerial vehicle facility, two front-end loaders, an ISIL tactical vehicle, and an ISIL-held building; damaged a front-end loader and a VBIED; disabled two bridges; and suppressed two ISIL tactical units and a mortar system.

Tuesday 27 December – Typhoons destroyed a heavy machine-gun position whilst supporting Syrian Democratic Forces west of Raqqah…Typhoons continued to support the SDF operations in Syria, and on Tuesday 27 December, they used a Paveway IV to strike a heavy machine-gun position located in a building to the west of Raqqah.

On Dec. 26, Coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets.

Syria

.Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an oil well head.

.Near Ar Raqqah, nine strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed six VBIEDs, three tactical vehicles, a bridge, a fighting position, and a supply cache.

.Near Ayn Isa, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.

Iraq

.Near Bashir, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed three ISIL-held buildings, an observation post, and a weapons cache.

.Near Mosul, three strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed four VBIEDS, two VBIED factories, a mortar, an ISIL-held building, a tactical vehicle, and a front-end loader; damaged an ISIL-held building, a tunnel, and eight ISIL supply routes; disabled a bridge; and suppressed a mortar and ISIL tactical unit.

SOUTHWEST ASIA — On Monday, Dec. 26, Abu Jandal al-Kuwaiti, an ISIL gang leader in Raqqah was struck and killed by a coalition airstrike near Tabqa Dam, Syria.

He was a previous member of the ISIL’s War Committee and was involved in their retaking of Palmyra, Syria, before being reassigned to Tabqa to try to improve ISIL’s defenses against the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Abu Jandal was involved in the use of suicide vehicles, IEDs and chemical weapons against the SDF. Because of his associations with ISIL terror attack planners and War Council members, his death will degrade ISIL’s ability to defend Raqqah and launch external operations against the West.

On Dec. 25, Coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes using attack, bomber, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted four strikes coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

Syria

. Near Al Shadaddi, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two vehicles and a heavy machine gun.

. Near Ar Raqqah, 11 strikes engaged eight ISIL tactical units; destroyed 11 fighting positions, four tactical vehicles, a heavy machine gun, and a VBIED; and damaged a supply route.

. Near Manbij, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

Iraq

. Near Mosul, two strikes [2 British] ngaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, a land bridge, two tactical vehicles, two buildings, a heavy machine gun, and two mortars; suppressed an ISIL tactical unit and two mortar teams; and damaged a supply route.

. Near Rawah, one strike destroyed a front end-loader.

. Near Sinjar, one strike destroyed an ISIL warehouse.

Sunday 25 December – Tornados and Typhoons attacked three Daesh targets in and around Mosul…Christmas Day saw Mosul blanketed with thick cloud, but both Typhoons and Tornados were able, by dint of close cooperation with the Iraqi forces on the ground, to prosecute Daesh targets in and around the city. A pair of Typhoons used a Paveway IV to attack a small bridge used by the terrorists, whilst a Tornado flight attacked two Daesh strong-points with which the Iraqi troops were engaged in close combat; the first was destroyed by an Enhanced Paveway II guided bomb, the second – from which a machine-gun was firing – was struck by a Paveway IV. Both attacks were delivered blind through the cloud, but the Iraqi units reported direct hits which eliminated the threats that they had faced.

On Dec. 24, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes using attack and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using bomber and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets.

Syria



. Near Ar Raqqah, nine strikes engaged eight ISIL tactical units, destroyed seven fighting positions and a tunnel and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.

Iraq

. Near Al Huwayjah, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four buildings and two tunnels.

. Near Al Qaim, one strike engaged two ISIL VBIED factories and a weapons storage facility.

. Near Mosul, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed four buildings, four heavy machine guns, three tactical vehicles, and three VBIEDs; and suppressed nine mortar teams and two ISIL tactical units.

On Dec. 23, Coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, rotary, and remotely piloted aircraft as well as rocket artillery against ISIL targets.

Syria

* Near Raqqah, 13 strikes engaged 10 ISIL tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, three vehicles, and a VBIED; and damaged a supply route.

* Near Palmyra, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle and damaged an artillery system.

Iraq

* Near Bayji, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and damaged a tunnel entrance.

* Near Mosul, three strikes [1 British] engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed five ISIL-held buildings, four fighting positions, a vehicle, a mortar system, a weapons cache, and a VBIED factory; damaged five supply routes, three bridges, and a tunnel; and suppressed five tactical units and three mortar systems.

* Near Rawah, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and a weapons cache.

Friday 23 December – Typhoons bombed a terrorist position north of Tabaqah in Syria; in Iraq, Tornados hit a weapons cache north-east of Haditha, and a Reaper destroyed an artillery gun near Mosul…The next day [Dec 23rd], Typhoon FGR4s, armed with Paveway IV guided bombs, patrolled over Syria and successfully attacked a terrorist position which SDF fighters had encountered to the north of Tabaqah, near Lake Assad. In Iraq, Tornados used Paveway IVs to destroy a weapons stockpile some 50 miles north-east of Haditha, whilst a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft assisted the Iraqi operations in Mosul; its crew conducted a thorough check for civilians who might be at risk before a successful coalition air strike destroyed another weapons stockpile. The Reaper then delivered an attack using one of its own Hellfire missiles to destroy an artillery piece loaded on a trailer – as with the tank, the terrorists had attempted to hide the gun under a tarpaulin in thick woodland to the north-west of the city, but to no avail.

Danske øjne styrer fly sikkert gennem Irak og Syrien

“Hvis man forestiller sig at skulle lande i en lufthavn eller flyve, hvor flyvelederne sidder med lukkede øjne, så har man situationen, hvis vores radar ikke snurrede rundt.” 23-12-2016 – kl. 11:00

Af radarbidraget og ACW

I en amerikansk enhed arbejder et mindre radarbidrag fra Flyvevåbnet, hvor de holder styr på luftrummet over Irak og Syrien i kampen mod ISIL.

Kingpin bliver kontrolcentralen kaldt, hvorfra det amerikanske flyvevåbens 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron sammen med både australiere, englændere og danskere er øjne, øre og guidende hænder for flytrafikken.

24 timer i døgnet holder de øje med luftrummet over Afghanistan, den Arabiske Gulf, Irak og Syrien. De danske udsendte fra Flyvevåbnets Air Control Wing koncentrerer sig om Irak og Syrien og går under kaldenavnet Gotham, hvor de blandt andet anvender den danske radar på Al Asad Airbase i Irak, som er en del af det samlede danske radarbidrag. Men de trækker også på en række andre radarer, radioer og overvågningsfly, så der konstant kan produceres et opdateret luftbillede, så flyene kan blive støttet i deres missioner.

– Vi er et relativt lille bidrag på i alt cirka 30 mand med operatører og radarteknikere, men effekten af bidraget er enormt. Hvis man forestiller sig at skulle lande i en lufthavn eller flyve, hvor flyvelederne sidder med lukkede øjne, så har man situationen, hvis vores radar ikke snurrede rundt, siger chefen for radarbidraget, oberstløjtnant Kim Krogh.

On Dec. 22, Coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes using attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, rotary, and remotely piloted aircraft as well as rocket artillery against ISIL targets.

Syria

. Near Ar Raqqah, eight strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed six oil storage tanks, two VBIEDs, and destroyed a technical vehicle; and damaged a supply route, a fighting position, and a truck.

. Near Ayn Isa, one strike damaged three ISIL supply routes.

. Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an oil well head.

Iraq

. Near Bashir, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a tactical vehicle.

. Near Haditha, one strike destroyed an ISIL VBIED, two vehicles, and a supply cache.

. Near Mosul, five strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed two vehicles, a building, two tunnels, an ISIL command and control headquarters; and damaged a supply route.

. Near Rawah, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed a building, and suppressed a VBIED.

. Near Sinjar, one strike [1 British] destroyed an ISIL tank.

Thursday 22 December – Tornados destroyed a tank south-west of Sinjar in northern Iraq…Operations against the Daesh terrorist network have continued unabated during the holiday period, with Royal Air Force aircraft supporting Iraqi operations to liberate Mosul, and the advance on Raqqah by Syrian Democratic Forces. On Thursday 22 December, two Tornado GR4s, based at RAF Akrotiri, were tasked against one of the few tanks operated by Daesh, which had been spotted by coalition surveillance aircraft hidden under a tarpaulin in an orchard to the south-west of Sinjar. The tank was destroyed by a direct hit from a Brimstone missile.

SOUTHWEST ASIA – The Iraqi air force air dropped four million letters to the long-suffering residents of Mosul Dec. 22, to provide them courage and support while they await liberation from ISIL.

This air drop is the culminating event of The Institute for War and Peace Reporting initiative named, Letters to Mosul.

IWPR digitally launched their campaign on Oct. 17, 2016, the same day as the operation to liberate Mosul began. They photocopied and distributed 2,160 hand written letters to the people still held captive by ISIL.

The letters of empathy and support for Mosul residents were written by Iraqis from all over the country. This initiative by the people of Iraq reassures the residents of Mosul, held hostage by ISIL for more than two years, that they have not been forgotten and that the rest of Iraq is standing with them, waiting to welcome them back in solidarity when ISIL is defeated.

The Iraqi security forces are more than two months into operations to liberate Mosul. The government of Iraq initiated offensive operations on Oct. 17, 2016 to liberate Iraq’s second largest city, which has been held by ISIL for more than two years.

The Iraqi security forces are making deliberate progress each day placing the safety of citizens above their own as they conduct operations to liberate the people of Mosul.

Below are a sample of some of the letters dropped over Mosul:

“In the name of God the Merciful”
To our dear people, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, we are with you in everything and our hearts to you, and we feel what you feel of cold, hunger, and the harshness of days and you should be patient and endured that victory is close, God willing, what remained little but hold on to advocate Mosul. We ask you that you keep on your faith with God because he is alone capable of that removes this ordeal and to relieve you, your concerns and always night comes after day, God willing, your sun will shine and we will see the smile and joy on your faces and in the near, we will embrace each other and join each other and return Mosul to Iraq.
Daughter of Anbar

—————————

Dear Mosul you will be liberated soon by our heroes Our people in Mosul, we are with you in our hearts and souls, I do not find the right words to express to you but do not forget you are part of Iraq, and we will not abandon you, no matter how grown enemies. Victory will come soon, God willing. PMF, ISF, and Peshmerga are coming.

You will liberate Mosul by standing together as one hand. To who reads my letter if is from Mosul and its people, we want to say we love you, do not be sad nor afraid everything will end soon and if was one of ISF or PMF, we want to say you are our heroes our hope and you will liberate Mosul be strong.

———————–

My city Mosul
My love and respect and appreciation to you my family
You have my respect and affection
You are part of us no matter what happens we will keep you in the heart
You folks of patience and endurance, and know that no matter what happens you stay at the heart and we will fight to free you, and Whatever happens don’t give up in life, we’re fighting for you.

——————

My hand, trembling and my pen incapable of including internal words of longing and love to this beautiful city of the Prophet Yunis, the city that I wished to live in or visit …
You will return to your most beautiful days with your family and you will hear the prays of the mosques in Mosul sky, the culture and science will return because everything been robbed from you will come back to you.

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Greeting to the land of Rabiein (Two springs)
To the green city
To both banks left and right …
You have all our love for your good land …
Thousands of greeting to you and peace …
To your aromatic forests …
Where have you been all this time …
Who betrayed you, sweetheart .. ??
Behold, we are coming for you when you called us …
Behold, we have paid our blood for your love …
We gave you a lot … a thousand spirit of the martyr …
And the blood of lovers and enamored …
Is this enough to the right of your love to gather us again…
Long as you are safe in the arms of your children …
The peace and love may bend to you again…

Dans leur recul global sur le théâtre, les combattants de Daech continuent de faire preuve d’une combativité qui freine la progression des troupes engagées contre eux. En Irak, l’effort de la Coalition et l’attention restent concentrés sur les combats pour la reprise de Mossoul, gênés par une météo défavorable. Ailleurs en Irak les forces irakiennes poursuivent leurs actions de sécurisation contre des groupes isolés de Daech, notamment dans la région de Sharqat. Dans le centre du pays, l’organisation terroriste maintient sa logique de harcèlement en poursuivant sa campagne d’attentats, en particulier à Bagdad. En Syrie, après la reprise de la ville de Palmyre par l’organisation, la Coalition a réalisé plusieurs frappes afin de neutraliser des concentrations de combattants et de matériels. AVANCÉE SUR LA BATAILLE DE MOSSOUL Cette semaine, des conditions météorologiques peu propices ont limité les avancées militaires au sol. Les FSI ont utilisé cette pause opérationnelle pour consolider les quartiers sous leur contrôle, dans lesquels Daech poursuit ses actions de harcèlement aux moyens de SVBIED et de tireurs isolés. Plusieurs contre-attaques ont encore été menées par des groupes de combattants djihadistes pour tenter de rependre des quartiers à l’ICTS et à la 9e division irakienne, mais se sont soldées par des échecs. ACTIVITÉS DE LA FORCE CHAMMAL

• Appui aérien au Levant

Les deux Rafale déployés en renfort sur la base aérienne projetée ont réalisé leur première mission opérationnelle dès le 16 décembre. Depuis le 14 décembre 2016, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont poursuivi leurs missions aériennes contre Daech en réalisant 58 sorties dont 50 de reconnaissances armées, 4 de recueil de renseignement par l’Atlantique 2 et des Rafale, 3 de ravitaillement. Au total les 10 frappes menées par les Rafale contre Daech ont détruit 16 objectifs. Les frappes réalisées se sont concentrées dans la région de Mossoul et d’Hawijah en Irak et dans la région de Raqqah en Syrie. Une mission de frappe planifiée dans la profondeur a été conduite dans la région d’Hawijah, détruisant une fabrique de véhicules blindés explosifs improvisés.

• Focus sur Mossoul

Cette semaine les missions d’appui aérien conduites par les aéronefs de Chammal en appui des forces irakiennes ont abouti à la réalisation de 7 frappes, concentrées dans les quartiers au Sud et Est de la ville. Elles ont participé notamment à l’arrêt de plusieurs contre-attaques menées par Daech.

• Appui feu – TF Wagram

La Task Force Wagram est toujours engagée dans la protection de la base de Qayyarah-West, ainsi que dans l’appui aux opérations de sécurisation de la région de Sharqat. La TF Wagram a conduit cette semaine 15 missions d’éclairement au profit de la 60e brigade irakienne, en appui des opérations de sécurisation le long du Tigre entre Qayyarah et Sharqat.

On Dec. 21, Coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets.

Syria



. Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an oil well head.

. Near Al Shadaddi, one strike destroyed a decoy tactical vehicle.

. Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL mortar system and suppressed a tactical unit.

. Near Ayn Isa, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.

. Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed three oil well heads, three oil tanker trucks, an excavator, and a crane.

. Near Palmyra, one strike destroyed two bunkers and an ISIL artillery system.

Iraq

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

. Near Bashir, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and a tunnel.

. Near Bayji, one strike [1 British] engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL-held building and a generator.

. Near Haditha, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL-held building.

. Near Kisik, one strike destroyed an ISIL held building.

. Near Mosul, three strikes [1 British] engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, three mortar systems, an ISIL headquarters, a tactical vehicle, a command and control node, a munitions production factory, and an IED factory; damaged seven ISIL supply routes; and suppressed five tactical units and three mortar teams.

Wednesday 21 December – Tornados destroyed another machine-gun position in eastern Mosul, while Typhoons dealt with a stockpile of Improvised Explosive Devices north-east of Bayji…Wednesday 21 December saw Typhoons tasked with the destruction of a Daesh-held building some miles to the north-east of Bayji, where intelligence reports indicated a number of improvised explosive devices had been stockpiled by the terrorists. A Paveway IV levelled the building. In eastern Mosul, Iraqi troops came upon a heavy machine-gun team, once again fortified inside a building, and sought assistance from a Tornado patrol which was able to destroy the target with a Paveway IV.