With Iraqi troops conducting ground assaults on Daesh positions in Ramadi on 22 December, two pairs of RAF Tornados and a Reaper, provided the Iraqis with continuous close air support alongside other coalition aircraft. When the Daesh fighters fired rocket-propelled grenades and small arms at Iraqi soldiers tending to wounded personnel, the Tornados intervened with a very accurate Paveway strike.

The Reaper, meanwhile, assisted other coalition aircraft in an attack that destroyed an anti-aircraft gun.

A third pair of Tornados were over northern Iraq, supporting the Kurdish peshmerga, and conducted two successful Paveway IV attacks that destroyed a Daesh-held building and an observation post.

Nederlandse F-16’s, actief in het Midden-Oosten in de strijd tegen ISIS, voerden meer dan 5 missies uit. Daarbij zetten zij wapens in tegen vuurposities en wapenopslagplaatsen van ISIS.

In Erbil gaven Nederlandse instructeurs les aan Peshmerga-strijders. Het is de achtste keer dat zij met instructeurs van de coalitie de Infantry Battle Course geven. In Bagdad gaven Nederlandse militairen les aan Iraakse commando’s. Daarnaast slaagden er meer dan 500 andere commando’s voor hun initiële training.

On Dec. 21, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft. In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter, bomber, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Al Hasakah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL building.

* Near Al Hawl, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions.

* Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL excavator.

* Near Mar’a, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL fighting position, damaged an ISIL fighting position, and wounded two ISIL fighters.

Iraq

* Near Fallujah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an improvised explosive device (IED) facility and wounded two ISIL fighters.

* Near Kisik, one strike suppressed ISIL rocket fire.

* Near Mosul, seven strikes [2 British] struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building, 12 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, two ISIL vehicles, five ISIL bunkers, and destroyed seven ISIL assembly areas.

* Near Qayyarah, one strike destroyed an ISIL excavator.

* Near Ramadi, six strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL command and control nodes, four ISIL weapons caches, two ISIL buildings, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), wounded two ISIL fighters, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

The following day, Monday 21 December, Typhoon FGR4s and an RAF Reaper operated around the Mosul area. The Typhoons used a Paveway IV bomb to destroy a Daesh vehicle, while the Reaper provided targeting support to a coalition air strike that destroyed a terrorist mortar position before delivering two attacks with its own Hellfire missiles which destroyed a supply vehicle and a Daesh-held building.

Two Tornado GR4s patrolled over northern Iraq on Sunday 20 December and conducted a successful attack with a Paveway IV guided bomb on a large group of Daesh terrorists, loading supplies into a truck.

A second pair of GR4s flew a reconnaissance mission over Ramadi, where they provided surveillance assistance to an attack by other coalition aircraft. The GR4s were then diverted north to the area around Bayji, where Iraqi ground forces were in close combat with Daesh extremists. Despite the close proximity of the Iraqi troops, the Tornados were able to conduct two sucessful precision attacks with Paveway IVs on the terrorists, who had been directing rocket and small arms fire at the Iraqis.

On Dec. 20, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted three strikes using ground-attack and remotely piloted aircraft. In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter, bomber, ground-attack, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Mar

* Near Ar Raqqah, one strike [French] struck five ISIL gas and oil separation points and two ISIL crude oil collection points.

On Dec. 19, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter, bomber, and ground-attack aircraft. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Near Bayji, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL cave and cave entrance, and damaged six ISIL fighting
Near Fallujah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) facility and denied ISIL access to terrain.
Near Mosul, six strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL excavators, an ISIL checkpoint, and suppressed an ISIL sniper position.
Near Ramadi, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL VBIED facility, an ISIL rocket position, two ISIL buildings, an ISIL tactical vehicle, and an ISIL tanker.
Near Sinjar, one strike suppressed an ISIL mortar position.

Le 19 décembre 2015, les Mirage 2000 et les Rafale de l’armée de l’air ont frappé dans la région de Raqqah un site de production pétrolier.

On Dec. 18, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted three strikes using attack and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter, and bomber aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Ayn Isa, two strikes destroyed four ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.
* Near Manbij, one strike destroyed an ISIL mortar position.

Iraq

* Near Fallujah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL vehicles, four ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL front end loader. One strike is currently under investigation for a potential friendly fire incident.
* Near Kirkuk, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL excavator and wounded ISIL fighters.
* Near Makhmur, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL light machine gun and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
* Near Mosul, six strikes [1 or 2 Canadian, 1 British] struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, two ISIL fighting positions, damaged an ISIL bunker, and suppressed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL mortar position.
* Near Ramadi, four strikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), an ISIL building, nine ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL sniper position, an ISIL staging area, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
* Near Sinjar, three strikes [1 British] struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL heavy machine guns, and two ISIL fighting positions.

On 18 Dec 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck three ISIS fighting positions northwest of Mosul, Iraq, using precision guided munitions‎.

On Friday 18 December, Typhoons and Tornados operated over the Sinjar and Mosul areas, suppressing Daesh mortar positions with two Paveway attacks, while over Ramadi, Tornado GR4s supported the Iraqi forces again and struck three terrorist positions with Paveway IVs.

The Coalition offers condolences on the unfortunate loss of life of brave Iraq security forces on the front lines in the fight against Daesh today. Acting on requests and information from Iraqi security forces on the ground near Fallujah, Coalition forces conducted several airstrikes against Daesh today. Despite coordination with the Iraqi security forces on the ground, initial reports indicate the possibility one of the strikes resulted in the death of Iraqi soldiers. We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the facts. We have formally invited Iraqi participation in the investigation. All of our airstrikes in Iraq are conducted with the approval of the Government of Iraq in order to assist them in their fight against Daesh; we take great measures to prevent these types of incidents while protecting our partnered forces. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no previous incidents of friendly fire in Iraq involving the Coalition during the course of Operation Inherent Resolve. We are fully committed to the safety of our Iraqi partners while pursuing the destruction of our mutual enemies.

On Dec. 17, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted three strikes using attack aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter, and bomber aircraft against ISIL targets.

The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Ayn Isa, one strike destroyed an ISIL mortar position.

* Near Manbij, two strikes destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.

Iraq

* Near Al Baghdadi, one strike denied ISIL access to terrain.

* Near Fallujah, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL heavy machine guns, four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL mortar position, two ISIL command and control nodes, an ISIL-used bridge, cratered an ISIL-used road, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

* Near Kisik, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL light machine guns, two ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL heavy machine gun.

* Near Mosul, four strikes [1 Canadian] struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, and two ISIL assembly areas.

* Near Ramadi, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, six ISIL staging areas, and an ISIL building.

* Near Sinjar, four strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL vehicles, two ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL light machine guns, two ISIL excavators, an ISIL fighting position, and suppressed an ISIL light machine gun position.

* Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike destroyed five ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL communications tower.

Additionally, there was an unreported strike on Dec. 15:

* Near Fallujah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL buildings, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

Operations continued on Thursday 17 December, when a Tornado patrol south of Sinjar was able to destroy three vehicles with Brimstone missiles.

In western Iraq, Typhoons worked very closely with an advancing Iraqi unit which had discovered a string of improvised explosive devices blocking the road. The Typhoons dropped a pair of Paveway IVs, which safely detonated the Daesh booby-traps.

During the evening, another Tornado mission in northern Iraq located a large group of terrorists massing for an attempted attack on a Kurdish position, and delivered two Paveways into their midst.

On 17 December 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position northwest of Mosul using precision guided munitions.

Actualités des opérations en cours (Barkhane, Chammal, Sangaris, et des forces de souveraineté) du 17 décembre 2015

Proche et Moyen-Orient : Chammal

En Syrie, Daech est durement touché par les frappes de la coalition qui visent les capacités de commandement, de financement et de logistique. Si le groupe terroriste conserve une certaine liberté d’action, il reste sous la pression des forces locales aux marges de son sanctuaire.

En Irak, les forces poursuivent les opérations de reconquête de Ramadi avec le soutien aérien de la coalition. La ville a été piégée par Daech avec des engins explosifs, ce qui contraint les soldats irakiens à progresser lentement. Ils sont néanmoins parvenus à avancer jusqu’au centre-ville. Daech est en position défensive, menant un combat visant à infliger le maximum de pertes dans les rangs des forces irakiennes .

Au sol, les forces irakiennes bénéficient de l’appui de la coalition, avec près de 200 frappes en un mois.

À Baïji, les forces irakiennes consolident les positions acquises face aux combattants terroristes qui conservent une posture de défense ferme de leurs positions.

La coalition maintient un effort sur les zones clefs du terrain dans le Nord du pays —plus particulièrement entre Sinjar et Mossoul.

Dans ce contexte, depuis le 9 décembre 2015, les équipages français ont réalisé 54 sorties aériennes au-dessus des zones contrôlées par Daech en Irak et en Syrie, dont 45 sorties de bombardements en appui des troupes irakiennes au sol ou sur objectif planifié. De plus, 4 vols de recueil de renseignement et 5 sorties de ravitaillement ont été menés. Au total, 12 frappes ont détruit 22 objectifs tenus par Daech.

La force Chammal a ainsi réalisé 11 frappes d’appui au sol (close air support—CAS) concentrant ses efforts dans la région de Mossoul. En 48 heures, les équipages des Rafale Air et des Mirage 2000 ont ainsi effectué 4 frappes, dont 2 dans la seule journée du 9 décembre. 7 frappes ont également été réalisées dans les régions de Tall Afar, Sinjar, Falloujah, et Ramadi.

Le 15 décembre 2015, des Mirage 2000 et des Rafale de l’armée de l’air ont frappé un objectif planifié (deliberate) dans la région d’Al Qaim. Des bâtiments de commandement, d’entrainement et des dépôts logistique ont été détruits. Lors de ce raid, les missiles de croisière SCALP ont été utilisés pour la première fois depuis le lancement de l’opération Chammal.

On Dec. 16, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted seven strikes using attack, bomber, and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter, bomber, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Ar Raqqah, three strikes struck an ISIL financial building, an ISIL headquarters building, and an ISIL training camp.

* Near Al Hawl, one strike destroyed an ISIL artillery piece.

* Near Manbij, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL bunkers.

* Near Mar’a, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and damaged an ISIL fighting position.

Iraq

* Near Fallujah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL sniper position, an ISIL tunnel, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL RPG system, and wounded an ISIL fighter.

* Near Hit, one strike destroyed an ISIL home-made explosives cache.

* Near Kirkuk, one strike destroyed an ISIL excavator.

* Near Mosul, two strikes [1 British] struck multiple large ISIL tactical units and three suicide bombers and destroyed 12 ISIL machine guns, 13 ISIL fighting positions, six ISIL vehicles, and an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). [see video below]

* Near Ramadi, four strikes [2 British] struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL machine gun, three ISIL fighting positions, five ISIL buildings, three ISIL staging areas, and an ISIL VBIED.

* Near Sinjar, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL machine gun.

Wednesday 16 December proved to be the most intensive day of combat operations by RAF aircraft since the start of the campaign in September 2014.

A pair of Tornados assisted the Iraqi troops battling Daesh on the outskirts of Ramadi, and used Paveway IVs to destroy two heavy machine-gun positions, a sniper team and a group of terrorist fighters.

In northern Iraq, two Tornados, two Typhoons and two Reapers, provided sustained close air support to the Kurdish peshmerga. Our aircraft delivered numerous precision attacks on terrorist targets, to the north and west of Mosul where the peshmerga were engaged in close combat with Daesh, using a mixture of Brimstone, Hellfire, Paveway IV and GBU-12 missiles and bombs. In total, these RAF strikes are estimated to have successfully destroyed four heavy machine-gun positions, two terrorist teams armed with rockets, three Daesh vehicles, one of which was a large truck-bomb, and six groups of terrorists.

In addition, the two Reapers were able to use their advanced reconnaissance sensors to assist twelve successful attacks by other coalition aircraft.

A further pair of Typhoons conducted tactical reconnaissance and another Tornado mission returned to Ramadi, where they destroyed a heavy machine-gun position and two terrorist-held buildings.

Depuis le 9 décembre 2015, les équipages français ont réalisé 54 sorties aériennes au-dessus des zones contrôlées par Daech en Irak et en Syrie, dont 45 de bombardement sur des objectifs planifiés ou d’opportunité et 2 de recueil de renseignement. 22 objectifs de Daech ont été détruits.

Appui au sol

11 frappes d’appui au sol (close air support) ont été réalisées.

• En Irak, la force Chammal a concentré ses efforts sur les missions d’appui au sol dans les régions de Mossoul, Tall Afar, et Ramadi. Les équipages des Rafale et des Mirage 2000 ont ainsi effectué 9 frappes, dont 4 dans la seule journée du 9 décembre.

• 2 frappes ont par ailleurs été réalisées dans les régions de Sinjar, et Falloujah.

Frappes sur des objectifs planifiés

Un raid a été conduits sur un objectif planifié.

Le 15 décembre 2015 dans la région d’Al Qaim en Irak, les Mirage 2000 et le Rafale ont frappé un site de Daech servant à la fois de quartier général, de centre d’entraînement et de dépôt de logistique. Lors de ce raid, la force Chammal a frappé avec des missiles de croisière SCALP pour la première fois depuis le lancement de l’opération.

De Nederlandse instructeurs van de Capacity Building Mission Irak trainen momenteel een nieuwe groep Peshmerga. De militairen van de Mobile Training Teams (MTT’s) zijn dik tevreden. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 8 tot 14 december.

De 150 Peshmerga die momenteel de Infanterie Basiscursus krijgen, ontwikkelen zich goed. De Nederlanders in de MTT’s trainen hen in de autonome Koerdische regio van Irak. De coalitie traint nu 800 Koerdische strijders.

Afgelopen week rondden de op 17 oktober gestarte Commando Course en Commando Instructor Course af in de omgeving van Bagdad. Nederlandse militairen trainen samen met coalitiegenoten de Iraakse en Koerdische strijdkrachten om ISIS op de grond te bevechten.

Nederlandse F-16’s, actief in de strijd tegen ISIS in het Midden-Oosten, vlogen ongeveer 10 missies. Ze bestookten een hoofdkwartier en opslagplaatsen van ISIS.

On Dec. 15, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted six strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter, bomber, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Ayn Isa, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.
* Near Manbij, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL checkpoint and an ISIL bunker.
* Near Mar’a, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), an ISIL fighting position, and an ISIL staging area.

Iraq

* Near Al Qaim, three strikes struck an ISIL headquarters [French], an ISIL IED facility, and an ISIL VBIED facility. [see video below]
* Near Hit, one strike destroyed two ISIL-used bridges.
* Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL mortar position.
* Near Ramadi, five strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL tactical vehicles, two ISIL vehicles, nine ISIL staging areas, five ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, three ISIL bed down locations, cratered eight ISIL-used roads, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
* Near Sinjar, one strike [British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

Mardi 15 décembre 2015 en fin de matinée, les forces françaises ont conduit un raid aérien contre une position de Daech situé en Irak, dans la région d’Al Qaim, dans l’Ouest du pays à la frontière entre l’Irak et la Syrie.

Situé dans la région d’Al Qaim – dans l’Ouest du pays, à proximité de la frontière syrienne, ce site était constitué de bâtiments, dont certains durcis, servant à la fois de quartier général, de centre d’entrainement et de dépôts logistique.

Engagé depuis le Golfe arabo-persique et la Jordanie le raid était constitué d’une dizaine d’avions de chasse (Rafale et Mirage 2000) équipés de bombes et de missiles SCALP (système de croisière autonome à longue portée). L’emploi de ces missiles est une première pour l’opération Chammal.

En parallèle de ces frappes planifiées, les avions de chasse de la force Chammal ont poursuivi leur mission d’appui au sol des troupes irakiennes engagées contre les éléments de Daech.

On Tuesday 15 December, two Tornado GR4s patrolled over eastern Syria and northern Iraq and conducted a successful attack with a Paveway IV laser and GPS guided bomb to destroy a terrorist mortar position near Sinjar.

Further south, two Typhoon FGR4s supported the Iraqi army in its operations around Ramadi, and struck a Daesh encampment with two Paveway IVs.

A second pair of Tornados flew another mission over northern Iraq and destroyed an enemy mortar with a Paveway.

On Dec. 14, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted six strikes using attack and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted eight strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using fighter and bomber aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Ayn Isa, one strike wounded two ISIL fighters.

* Near Manbij, two strikes destroyed an ISIL excavator and an ISIL building.

* Near Mar’a, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and wounded an ISIL fighter.

Iraq

* Near Al Huwayjah, one strike struck an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) factory.

* Near Ramadi, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL light machine guns, an ISIL heavy machine gun, four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL staging area, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

* Near Sinjar, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL light machine gun, and halted an ISIL vehicle’s movement.

On Monday 14 December, a Paveway IV attack by Typhoons destroyed a sniper position near Sinjar, while nearby, Tornados silenced a pair of heavy machine-guns that were firing on the Kurdish forces, the Kurds reporting that both weapons hit their targets with great accuracy despite difficult weather conditions.

On Dec. 13, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted three strikes using attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 13 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using fighter and bomber aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike struck an ISIL gas and oil separation plant.

* Near Manbij, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

* Near Mar’a, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and damaged an ISIL staging area.

Iraq

* Near Al Huwayjah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL mortar position.

* Near Kisik, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED), two ISIL improvised explosive devices (IED), five ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, and an ISIL light machine gun.

* Near Mosul, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar tube.

* Near Ramadi, three strikes struck three ISIL staging areas and destroyed an ISIL bed down location, two ISIL staging areas, an ISIL command and control node, and denied ISIL access to terrain. [see video below]

* Near Sinjar, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions and two light machine guns.

* Near Tikrit, one strike destroyed two ISIL oil tanks.

Operations in and around both Mosul and Sinjar continued on Sunday 13 December: Typhoons employed a Paveway IV in a successful attack on ten terrorists as they manned a rocket launcher position, whilst Tornado GR4s used Paveways to strike both a mortar firing point and another rocket launcher team.

On 13 December 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position northwest of Mosul using precision guided munitions.

On Dec. 12, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted seven strikes using attack and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using fighter, bomber, attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Abu Kamal, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

* Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and wounded two ISIL fighters.

* Near Ayn Isa, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed seven ISIL buildings.

* Near Manbij, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

* Near Mar’a, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL staging area and damaged two others.

Iraq

* Near Fallujah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) facilities, two ISIL staging locations, and five ISIL buildings.

* Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL bunker.

* Near Qayyarah, two strikes destroyed two ISIL VBIED facilities.

* Near Ramadi, six strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL command and control nodes, an ISIL assembly area, two ISIL fighting positions, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

* Near Rawah, one strike struck an ISIL VBIED facility.

* Near Sinjar, one strike destroyed an ISIL checkpoint.

* Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and four ISIL fighting positions.

* Near Tal Afar, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.