Iraqi Security Forces Seize Ramadi Government Center

BAGHDAD, IRAQ – Iraqi military leaders announced today Iraqi Security Forces seized the Government Center in Ramadi from Da’esh (the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State).

The Coalition congratulates the Iraqi Security Forces for its success in Ramadi. The ISF operations to reach the center of Ramadi are a significant milestone on the path to clear Da’esh from the historic city and the overall campaign to defeat the terrorist group across Iraq.

“The Iraqi Security Forces, including the Counter-Terrorism Service, the Iraqi Army, the Iraqi Air Force, the federal and local police, and the tribal fighters, have demonstrated their resolve in the fight for Ramadi,” said Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, commander of the Combined Joint Task Force supporting Iraqi security operations. “I also want to commend the thousands of troops of the Coalition who have made this success possible through relentless strikes against Da’esh, training and equipping support to the Iraqi Security Forces, and advice and assistance provided to Iraqi security leaders. This success belongs to them as well, and we will all work together to defeat our common enemy.”

Coalition support to operations in Ramadi include more than 600 strikes focused against Da’esh targets in and around Ramadi, training and equipping of multiple elements of the Iraqi Security Forces, providing specialized engineering equipment to clear improvised explosives devices, and providing advice and assistance at multiple Iraqi headquarters.

On Dec. 26, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted five strikes using attack and remotely piloted aircraft. In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 28 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using fighter, attack, 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 Manbij, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL weapons cache, and wounded ISIL fighters.

* Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed three ISIL excavators, two ISIL bulldozers, and damaged an ISIL excavator.

Iraq

* Near Albu Hayat, one strike destroyed two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL homemade explosive cache.

* Near Mosul, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 15 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL bunker, four ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL command control nodes, and cratered two ISIL roads, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

* Near Ramadi, four strikes destroyed two ISIL tactical vehicles, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), an ISIL VBIED factory, an ISIL VBIED staging location, an ISIL building, two ISIL house borne improvised explosive devices (HBIED), an ISIL staging area, an ISIL fighting position, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

* Near Sinjar, six strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL-used bridges, and two ISIL-used culverts.

* Near Tal Afar, seven strikes struck four ISIL-used bridges, an ISIL culvert, and destroyed 12 ISIL bunkers.

* Near Fallujah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun position, an ISIL-used bridge, an ISIL bunker, and an ISIL bed down location.

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

Additionally, there were four additional strikes from Dec. 25 that were not included on the Dec. 26 strike release.

Syria

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

Iraq

* Near Ramadi, three strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery piece position, five ISIL staging locations, two ISIL HBIEDs, three ISIL weapon caches, three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL VBIED, two ISIL resupply locations, and an ISIL vehicle, cratered five ISIL-used roads, damaged an ISIL tactical vehicle, and wounded ISIL fighters.

On Saturday 26 December, another Reaper patrolled over northern Iraq, where it destroyed a terrorist vehicle with a Hellfire, then supported a coalition air strike on a Daesh tunnel entrance.

On Dec. 25, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted five strikes using attack and remotely piloted aircraft. In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 12 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 Ar Raqqah, one strike [British] wounded an ISIL fighter.
* Near Manbij, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building and wounded an ISIL fighter.
* Near Mar’a, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Iraq

* Near Fallujah, two strikes destroyed two ISIL tunnels, two ISIL improvised explosive device (IED) factories, and wounded an ISIL fighter.
* Near Mosul, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
* Near Qayyarah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
* Near Ramadi, three strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL tactical vehicles, six ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL vehicles, two ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) factories, two ISIL heavy machine gun positions, an ISIL sniper position, two ISIL house borne improvised explosive devices (HBIED), and wounded two ISIL fighters.
* Near Sinjar, four strikes destroyed three ISIL-used bridges and an ISIL-used culvert.

On 25 December 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position west of Makhmur using precision guided munitions.

Missions continued on Christmas Day, with Tornados maintaining close air support over Ramadi. Once again working closely with other coalition aircraft, they used Paveway IVs against two terrorist teams, an anti-aircraft gun, and a massed Daesh group who were assembling for an attempted counter-attack on the successful Iraqi advance.

Meanwhile, over Syria, an RAF Reaper struck a Daesh checkpoint south of Raqqa with a Hellfire missile.

On Dec. 24, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft. In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 19 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and 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 struck an ISIL tactical unit.

* Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed two ISIL excavators.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike struck an ISIL crude oil collection point [see video below].

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

* Near Manbij, five strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed six ISIL vehicles, an ISIL fighting position, and wounded two ISIL fighters.

Iraq

* Near Al Baghdadi, three strikes struck an ISIL cave complex, an ISIL staging facility, an ISIL staging area, and destroyed three ISIL buildings. [see video below]

* Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed an ISIL trench system.

* Near Kirkuk, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL fighting position.

* Near Makhmur, one strike suppressed an ISIL mortar firing position.

* Near Mosul, seven strikes [1 Canadian] struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 13 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL heavy machine gun, five ISIL rockets, four ISIL bunkers, an ISIL command and control node, an ISIL assembly area, and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.

* Near Ramadi, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, seven ISIL house borne improvised explosive devices (HBIED), three ISIL staging areas, three ISIL buildings, two ISIL tunnels, an ISIL homemade explosives (HME) cache, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), and denied ISIL access to terrain.

* Near Sinjar, one strike destroyed 10 ISIL fighting positions.

* Near Tal Afar, one strike [Canadian] struck an ISIL tactical unit.

* Near Albu Hayat, one strike struck an ISIL staging area.

On 24 December 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position east of Mosul using precision guided munitions.

On 24 December 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck two ISIS fighting positions west of Tal Afar using precision guided munitions.

Thursday 24 December saw Typhoons operating near Mosul, where they destroyed another Daesh building with a Paveway, whilst over Ramadi, two pairs of Tornados again provided close air support to the Iraqi troops. The GR4s worked closely with other coalition aircraft to deliver two successful Paveway attacks on groups of terrorist fighters.

On Dec. 23, 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. In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and 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 vehicle and an ISIL fighting position.

* Near Mar’a, one strike destroyed an ISIL mortar system and an ISIL fighting position.

* Near Manbij, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL logistics facility.

Iraq

* Near Albu Hayat, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL heavy machine gun, and 24 ISIL rockets.

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

* Near Mosul, nine strikes struck seven separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 24 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL excavator, and an ISIL assembly area.

* Near Ramadi, five strikes [1 Canadian] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, five ISIL command and control nodes, an ISIL tactical vehicle, an ISIL bed-down location, an ISIL artillery site, cratered five ISIL-used roads, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

* Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike suppressed an ISIL mortar position.

On 23 December 2015, while taking part in coalition airstrikes in support of Iraqi security forces’ offensive operations to clear ISIS from Ramadi, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the vicinity of Ramadi using precision guided munitions.

Operations against the Daesh terrorist network have continued at a high intensity over the holiday period, with Royal Air Force aircraft conducting air strikes in Syria and Iraq, particularly in support of successful Iraqi operations in Ramadi. Armed reconnaissance missions have been flown daily by RAF Tornado GR4, Typhoon FGR4, and Reaper aircraft, focusing on supporting the Iraqi security forces during their offensive operations in Ramadi, and also in northern Iraq in the area around Mosul.

On Wednesday 23 December, a Typhoon patrol to the east of Mosul conducted a total of six successful attacks with eight Paveway IV precision guided bombs, which destroyed four terrorist-held buildings and a tunnel, including ammunitions stores, several heavy machine-guns, and a sniper position.

Further south, two flights of Tornado GR4s were contributing to the coalition air effort which supported the Iraqi army’s offensive into the centre of Ramadi. The Tornados conducted six attacks, again with Paveway IVs, and although on every occasion Iraqi forces were in very close proximity to the terrorist targets, careful planning and the accuracy of the weapons allowed all six attacks to be a success. The Tornados’ targets included three terrorist teams armed with rocket-propelled grenades, a sniper position, a Daesh group in close combat with Iraqi troops, and a large group of at least 17 terrorists, who suffered a direct hit.

That night, a further pair of Tornados patrolled over Mosul, and destroyed two Daesh-held buildings with Paveways.

Depuis le 16 décembre 2015, les équipages français ont réalisé 71 sorties aériennes au-dessus des zones contrôlées par Daech en Irak et en Syrie, dont 57 de bombardement en appui des troupes irakiennes au sol ou sur un objectif planifié, et 6 de recueil de renseignement. 18 frappes ont détruit 43 objectifs de Daech.

Appui au sol (close air support)

16 frappes d’appui au sol ont été réalisées au cours de la semaine.

• En Irak, la force Chammal a concentré ses efforts sur les missions d’appui au sol dans la région de Mossoul, où les combattants de Daech occupent des positions et harcèlent les forces au sol.
• Des frappes ont par ailleurs été réalisées dans les régions de Tall Afar, Sinjar, Falloujah, et Ramadi.

Frappe sur des objectifs planifiés (deliberate)

2 raids ont été menés sur des objectif planifiés au cours de la semaine.

• 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
• Le 22 décembre 2015, les Super-Etendard du GAN ont frappé un centre logistique situé entre Ramadi et Fallujah.

On Dec. 22, 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 24 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 Hawl, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building, an ISIL vehicle, four ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL rocket system.

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

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

* Near Mar’a, two strikes destroyed two ISIL heavy machine guns and two ISIL mortar systems.

* Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Iraq

* Near Al Huwayjah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

* Near Habbaniyah, five strikes struck four ISIL staging areas and an ISIL headquarters.

* Near Mosul, eight strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL building, an ISIL crane, an ISIL bulldozer, two ISIL excavators, two ISIL vehicles, five ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL light machine gun, an ISIL checkpoint, and wounded an ISIL fighter.

* Near Ramadi, four strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL bunker, 19 ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL sniper positions, an ISIL anti-air artillery piece, four ISIL RPG positions, two ISIL recoilless rifles, two ISIL grenade launcher positions, two ISIL heavy machine gun positions, three ISIL command and control nodes, two ISIL bed down locations, an ISIL staging area, cratered an ISIL-used road, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

* Near Sinjar, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

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

* Near Fallujah, one strike destroyed an ISIL bunker.

* Near Kisik, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.

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

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.

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.

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. 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.