On On Nov. 17, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 13 strikes using attack, fighter, and bomber aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, attack, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Abu Kamal, two strikes struck two ISIL oil and gas separation plants.
* Near Al Hasakah, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 13 ISIL buildings, an ISIL bunker, and an ISIL fighting position.
* Near Al Hawl, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL building and four ISIL fighting positions.
* Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes [2 French] struck three ISIL headquarters and an ISIL bivouac.

Iraq

* Near Kisik, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL bunkers, two ISIL weapons caches, and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.
* Near Mosul, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL staging area, an ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL fighting position, and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.
* Near Ramadi, six strikes [1 Canadian] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISL vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED), 29 ISIL fighting positions, six ISIL vehicles, 16 ISIL machine gun positions, three ISIL tactical vehicles, four ISIL VBIED staging areas, an ISIL bulldozer, five ISIL weapons caches, an ISIL building, an ISIL staging area, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
* Near Sinjar, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
* Near Sultan Abdallah, two strikes suppressed an ISIL rocket position and an ISIL mortar position.

Strike assessments are based on initial reports. All aircraft returned to base safely.

The strike release published on Nov. 16 includes a French strike listed as “Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL storage depot.” After further coordination with the French Ministry of Defense, we have determined that France conducted two separate strikes on two different targets. The first target was an ISIL storage depot and the second strike against an ISIL command and control node.

A strike, as defined in the CJTF releases, means one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative effect for that location. So having a single aircraft deliver a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of buildings and vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making that facility (or facilities) harder or impossible to use. Accordingly, CJTF-OIR does not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target.

Le mardi 17 novembre 2015, l’armée française a de nouveau frappé Daech à Raqqah – fief de l’organisation terroriste en Syrie.

Dans la continuité des raids menés depuis 48 heures, la force Chammal a bombardé successivement deux centres de commandement de Daech. Les premières frappes ont débuté à 19h30 (heure française). Les deux objectifs visés ont été détruits.

Constitué de 10 chasseurs en provenance du golfe Arabo-Persique (GAP) et de Jordanie, le raid a été mené par quatre Rafale et six Mirage (2000D et 2000N).

Ces trois derniers jours, la force Chammal a concentré ses frappes sur les camps d’entraînement et les centres de commandement, deux piliers indispensables au fonctionnement de Daech. En 48 heures, les raids français ont ainsi anéanti six objectifs d’importance contrôlés par cette organisation terroriste.

On 17 November 2015, while taking part in coalition airstrikes in support of Iraqi security forces operations to clear ISIS from Ramadi, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck three ISIS fighting positions during two separate airstrikes in the vicinity of Ramadi using precision guided munitions.

On Tuesday 17 November, Tornado GR4s from RAF Akrotiri provided close air support to Iraqi ground forces closing in on Ramadi. Our aircraft conducted three successful attacks with Paveway IV guided bombs, destroying an improvised artillery piece – a so-called “Hell Cannon” – and two heavy machine-gun positions.
Support was also given to the Kurdish forces as they exploited their recent victory at Sinjar.

Nederlandse F-16’s, actief in de strijd tegen ISIS in het Midden-Oosten, vlogen 3 missies. Daarbij werden een hoofdkwartier en opslagplaatsen van ISIS bestookt. Een overzicht van Defensieoperaties in de week van 9 tot en met 15 november.

In Erbil in Noord-Irak begon een nieuwe lichting Peshmerga-strijders aan de Infanterie Basiscursus. In Bagdad gingen de Iraakse cursisten verder met de verschillende commando-opleidingen.

Bouwvakkers treffen voorbereidingen voor de bouw van het pand.

Bouwvakkers treffen voorbereidingen voor de bouw van het pand in Bagdad.

In de Iraakse hoofdstad werd de eerste paal in de grond geslagen van het te bouwen medisch lesgebouw op de militaire academie in Bagdad. Naar verwachting is het onderkomen eind december gereed. De bouw van de leslokalen maakt deel uit van de hulp die Nederland biedt aan de Iraakse overheid. Daarnaast komt er in het gebouw ook een medisch skills lab. Geslaagden van de commando-opleiding krijgen een individuele EHBO-uitrusting.

Le 18 novembre 2015, le Groupe aéronaval (GAN) a appareillé pour la Méditerranée orientale. Il prendra part rapidement aux opérations de la Coalition contre Daech et complètera ainsi le dispositif de l’armée de l’Air déjà engagé au Levant. Le GAN permettra de multiplier par trois le potentiel miliaire des moyens français engagés au Levant contre Daech.

Au cours de son déploiement, il participera également à des manœuvres conjointes dans un cadre multinational et interalliés, ainsi qu’à des manœuvres bilatérales avec les pays de la région. Dans le golfe Arabo-Persique, le GAN assurera durant plusieurs semaines le commandement de la Task Force 50.

Cette mission du GAN est baptisée Arromanches 2.

Constitué autour du porte-avions Charles de Gaulle, le groupe aéronaval a pris le nom de Task Force 473 (TF 473). La TF 473 est placée sous le commandement tactique du contre-amiral René-Jean Crignola. Le GAN sera placé successivement sous le contrôle opérationnel de commandant de la zone maritime en Méditerranée et du commandant de la composante navale de la coalition dès son entrée en Océan Indien et jusqu’à sa sortie du golfe Arabo-Persique, puis du commandant de la zone maritime de l’Océan Indien jusqu’au franchissement du canal de Suez.

Le GAN est composé :

Du porte-avions Charles de Gaulle, du groupe aérien embarqué (18 Rafale Marine, 8 Super étendard modernisés, 2 Hawkeye, 2 Dauphin et 1 Alouette III) et de l’état-major du GAN ;

D’une frégate de défense aérienne Chevalier Paul (+ 1 Caïman Marine) ;

D’une frégate anti sous-marine La Motte Piquet (+ Lynx) jusqu’à mi-janvier 2016 ;

D’une frégate européenne multi missions (FREMM) Aquitaine (+ 1 Caïman Marine) à partir de mi-janvier 2016 ;

D’un bâtiment de commandement et de ravitaillement Marne (+ Alouette III) ;

D’une frégate anti-aérienne britannique HMS Defender (+ Lynx et Merlin) ;

D’une frégate belge Léopold Ier (+ Alouette III) du 18 novembre 2015 au 4 janvier 2016 ;

Il pourra être renforcé par la FREMM Provence (+ 1 Caïman Marine) lors de son déploiement de longue durée ;

Ponctuellement de moyens américains navals et aériens.

Des bâtiments de d’autres nations alliées pourront être intégrés au GAN. L’interopérabilité des moyens français avec ceux des Marines alliées est l’assurance pour la Coalition de pouvoir agir avec une très grande réactivité au Levant.

La présence du GAN dans le golfe Arabo-Persique augmente ainsi les opportunités de coopération avec nos partenaires régionaux. Elle est le signe concret de l’intérêt que la France porte à cette zone.

On Nov. 16, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted six strikes using attack, fighter, and bomber aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, attack, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Al Hasakah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL buildings, one ISIL sniper position, an ISIL machine gun position, and four ISIL fighting positions.

* Near Abu Kamal, one strike struck an ISIL gas and oil separation point.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes struck three ISIL controlled oil facilities.

Iraq

* Near Kirkuk, one strike suppressed an ISIL machine gun position.

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

* Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL weapons cache.

* Near Ramadi, five strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL sniper positions, four ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL mortar position, an ISIL artillery position, two ISIL- used roads, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

* Near Sinjar, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL headquarters, two ISIL fighting positions, and suppressed an ISIL mortar position.

* Near Sultan Abdallah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and suppressed an ISIL machine gun position.

Dans la nuit du 16 au 17 novembre 2015 à 1h30 (heure française), l’armée française a de nouveau mené un raid contre Daech – à Raqqah en Syrie. La force Chammal a détruit deux sites opérationnels de combattants terroristes.

Le raid était constitué de dix avions. Les équipages ont décollé à partir des bases situées en Jordanie et dans le Golfe arabo-persique (GAP) pour se rejoindre au-dessus de la Syrie. Réalisé en coordination avec la coalition, le raid aérien composé de six Mirage 2000 et quatre Rafale a frappé simultanément un centre de commandement qui abrite l’un des quartiers généraux de Daech, et un centre d’entraînement. Au total 16 bombes ont été délivrées.

Au bilan, depuis le dimanche 15 novembre, quatre objectifs préalablement identifiés par des missions de renseignement ont été frappés en 24 heures.

On Monday 16 November, two successive Tornado patrols extended the support to the Kurdish offensive. The first flight used a Paveway bomb to destroy a mortar position which had opened fire on the Kurds.

The following mission destroyed a heavy machine-gun near Mosul with a Paveway IV, then proceeded west towards Sinjar. There was heavy cloud, which may have encouraged the terrorists to assume that they were safe from air attack, but working very closely with the Kurdish forces, the GR4s were able to guide a Paveway onto a large group of over 30 Da’ish terrorists who were massing for a counter-attack; the Kurdish unit subsequently reported that the air strike had been highly effective.

The Tornado patrol then destroyed another ISIL mortar position south-west of Sinjar.

On Monday 16 November, two successive Tornado patrols extended the support to the Kurdish offensive. The first flight used a Paveway bomb to destroy a mortar position which had opened fire on the Kurds.

The following mission destroyed a heavy machine-gun near Mosul with a Paveway IV, then proceeded west towards Sinjar. There was heavy cloud, which may have encouraged the terrorists to assume that they were safe from air attack, but working very closely with the Kurdish forces, the GR4s were able to guide a Paveway onto a large group of over 30 Da’ish terrorists who were massing for a counter-attack; the Kurdish unit subsequently reported that the air strike had been highly effective.

The Tornado patrol then destroyed another ISIL mortar position south-west of Sinjar.

Le 15 novembre 2015 à 19h50 et 20h25, la force Chammal a frappé des infrastructures tenues par Daech à Raqqah en Syrie. Les deux objectifs visés par les frappes ont été détruits.

Chammal : Raid aérien français sur Raqqah en Syrie, 1 centre de commandement et 1 camp d’entraînement de Daech détruits.

Le raid était constitué de 12 aéronefs dont 10 chasseurs – 6 Rafale, 4 Mirage 2000 (2 M2000D et 2 M2000N). Les aéronefs français ont été engagés simultanément à partir des bases du golfe arabo-persique (GAP) et de Jordanie. Les équipages se sont rejoints au-dessus de la Syrie pour attaquer les deux objectifs occupés par Daech. Planifiée sur des sites préalablement identifiés lors des missions de reconnaissance réalisées par la France, cette opération a été conduite en coordination avec la Coalition.

Situé à 6 km au Sud de Raqqah, le premier objectif a été frappé par une patrouille de 2 Mirage 2000D. Le site était utilisée par Daech comme poste de commandement, centre de recrutement djihadiste et dépôt d’armes et de munitions. L’objectif est nécessaire au fonctionnement de Daech et l’un des lieux à partir duquel des attaques contre notre pays sont susceptibles d’être organisées. Une patrouille de 4 Rafale et 2 Mirage 2000D a détruit le deuxième objectif localisé à l’Ouest de Raqqah. Infrastructure industrielle inachevée, l’objectif abritait un camp d’entraînement terroriste et des cellules de recrutement. Les deux sites ont fait l’objet d’une longue observation préalable.

Ces opérations aériennes permettent d’affaiblir et de réduire les 2 principaux piliers sur lesquels s’appuie le groupe terroriste pour mener des attentats : les capacités de commandement et de recrutement. Le raid a pu être conduit grâce aux vols de renseignement réalisés au-dessus des zones contrôlées par Daech en Syrie depuis 8 septembre 2015.

On Nov. 15, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 10 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 bomber, fighter, remotely piloted aircraft, and rocket artillery 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 destroyed 116 ISIL fuel trucks.
* Near Al Hasakah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.
* Near Al Hawl, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed five ISIL buildings and an ISIL vehicle.
* Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL storage depot [updated on November 18th to 2 strikes – see note below]
* Near Ayn Isa, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL tactical vehicle, an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL fighting positions, and wounded an ISIL fighter.
* Near Mar’a, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.
* Near Palmyra, one strike struck an ISIL staging area.

Iraq

* Near Al Baghdadi, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL home-made explosives cache.
* Near Albu Hayat, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
* Near Fallujah, one strike destroyed an ISIL building.
* Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
* Near Qayyarah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL weapons cache.
* Near Ramadi, five strikes destroyed six separate ISIL command and control nodes, damaged an ISIL building, and denied ISIL access to terrain. [see video below]
* Near Sinjar, two strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL vehicles.

On 15 November, while taking part in coalition airstrikes in support of Iraqi security forces offensive operations, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position southeast of Haditha using precision guided munitions.

As Kurdish troops continued on Sunday 15 November their successful offensive in northern Iraq, an RAF Reaper flew overwatch, destroying a terrorist vehicle with a Hellfire missile.
The Reaper then crossed into Syrian airspace where it conducted routine intelligence collection against ISIL and provided surveillance support to the major French air strike on a large terrorist facility near Raqqa.

On Nov. 14, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted six strikes using fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter 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, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Ar Raqqah, one strike produced inconclusive results.

• Near Mar’a, one strike destroyed an ISIL improvised explosive device cluster, an ISIL fighting position and two ISIL defensive berms.

• Near Al Hawl, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL checkpoint and wounded an ISIL fighter.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike struck an ISIL cash distribution site.

Iraq

• Near Kisik, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL mortar system, suppressed an ISIL light machine gun, and wounded an ISIL fighter.

• Near Mosul, one strike suppressed an ISIL heavy machine gun.

• Near Qayyarah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

• Near Ramadi, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 10 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL cache, two ISIL buildings, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device, an ISIL command and control node, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

• Near Sinjar, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL fighting position, and wounded an ISIL fighter.

On Nov. 13, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted seven strikes using bomber, attack, and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using attack, ground-attack, bomber, fighter 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, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions and wounded an ISIL fighter.

• Near Ar Raqqah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL building.

• Near Mar’a, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

Iraq

• Near Bayji, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units.

• Near Kisik, one strike suppressed an ISIL heavy machine gun position.

• Near Ramadi, nine strikes [1 Canadian, 4 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 16 ISIL buildings, two ISIL weapons caches, two ISIL tunnels, six ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL light machine guns, an ISIL rocket rail, two ISIL sniper positions, five ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED), an ISIL staging area, two ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL command and control nodes, an ISIL supply cache, an ISIL tactical vehicle, three ISIL bed down locations, suppressed an ISIL fighting position, cratered three ISIL controlled roads, denied ISIL access to terrain, and wounded an ISIL fighter.

• Near Sinjar, six strikes struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL light machine gun, seven ISIL vehicles, and wounded an ISIL fighter.

• Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit.

• Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed four ISIL weapons caches.

On 13 November 2015, while taking part in coalition airstrikes in support of Iraqi security forces operations to clear ISIS from Ramadi, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS compound and two separate ISIS fighting positions in the vicinity of Ramadi using precision guided munitions.

On Friday 13 November, Tornado GR4s from RAF Akrotiri, supported by a Voyager air tanker, provided close air support to Iraqi troops fighting in the area around Ramadi. Our aircraft conducted four successful attacks on a set of Da’ish terrorist positions, using a combination of Paveway IV guided bombs and Brimstone missiles.

A second Tornado patrol continued to support the Iraqi forces during the night, and destroyed a terrorist armoured personnel carrier with a direct hits from a Brimstone missile.

Meanwhile, further north an RAF Reaper assisted an Iraqi unit which reported that, following a firefight, a group of Da’ish terrorists had taken shelter in a derelict industrial site, hiding under an oil tank. Despite the close proximity of the Iraqi soldiers, the Reaper’s crew were able to direct a GBU-12 guided bomb onto the terrorist position and destroy it, without risk to the friendly forces.

On Nov. 12, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight strikes using fighter, attack, and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, fighter 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, seven strikes struck six separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, and an ISIL mortar position.

* Near Ar Raqqah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit [likely killing of “Jihadi John”]

Iraq

* Near Albu Hayat, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL fighting position.

* Near Ramadi, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL tunnel, an ISIL building, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL mortar position, and an ISIL fighting position.

* Near Sinjar, twelve strikes [1 Canadian] struck five separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 27 ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL heavy machine guns, five ISIL vehicles, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), 11 ISIL staging areas, and denied ISIL access to terrain. [see videos below]

* Near Tal Afar, one strike [Canadian] struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL light machine gun, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL VBIED, and an ISIL fighting position.

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

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

On 12 November 2015, while taking part in coalition airstrikes in support of Iraqi security forces operations to clear ISIS from Sinjar and seize portions of a significant ISIS supply route between Ar Raqqah, Syria, and Mosul, Iraq, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS ammunition cache in the vicinity of Sinjar and an ISIS fighting position in the vicinity of Tal Afar using precision guided munitions.

Royal Air Force aircraft provided continued close air support to the successful Kurdish offensive around Sinjar city on 12 November, as well as to Iraqi operations in Ramadi.

An RAF Reaper worked closely with other coalition aircraft to ensure that the Kurdish soldiers fighting to retake Sinjar received constant and immediate support from the air. The advanced surveillance sensors on the Reaper allowed it to search ahead of the advancing peshmerga and identify ISIL terrorist activity. In addition to this invaluable intelligence support, the Reaper’s controllers were also able to conduct two successful strikes with Hellfire missiles on groups of terrorists as they attempted to react to the Kurdish advance.

Although Sinjar was the focus for much coalition air activity, patrols were maintained over other areas of Iraq where the fight against ISIL continues, and RAF Tornado GR4s provided close air support to the Iraqi units closing in on the terrorist positions in Ramadi. Just north of the city, a terrorist supply truck was identified at the mouth of an underpass, and destroyed by a direct hit from a Brimstone missile.

En Irak, la semaine a été marquée par l’intensification des frappes aériennes de la coalition, notamment dans les régions de Sinjar au nord du pays et de Ramadi à l’ouest de Bagdad, où les unités irakiennes maintiennent leurs efforts pour reprendre le contrôle de la ville.

Cette semaine, les équipages de l’armée de l’air française ont réalisé 11 frappes en Irak et 3 frappes en Syrie. Au total, 285 frappes ont ainsi été réalisées depuis le début de l’opération le 19 septembre 2014.

En Syrie, les Mirage 2000 basés en Jordanie ont frappé à trois reprises des sites pétroliers, site de distribution et stations de pompage. Menées sur la base des renseignements collectés ces dernières semaines lors des vols de reconnaissance, ces frappes ont pour objectif d’affaiblir les capacités financières de Daech en perturbant l’exploitation des ressources pétrolières dans les zones sous le contrôle de ce groupe terroriste.

À Bagdad, les opérations de relève du détachement français sont terminées. Désormais, la 3e brigade légère blindée assure aux côtés de 13e demi-brigade de Légion étrangère les missions de formation réalisées au profit des forces irakiennes.

Le 5 novembre 2015, le Président de la République a annoncé que le groupe aéronaval constitué autour du porte-avions Charles-de-Gaulle participerait à l’opération Chammal dans les prochaines semaines.

On Nov. 11, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight strikes using fighter, attack, and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 40 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, fighter, 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 Al Hawl, eight strikes struck eight separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL buildings and wounded an ISIL fighter.

Iraq

• Near Albu Hayat, one strike, struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL command and control node and two ISIL weapons caches.

• Near Kisik, two strikes struck two separate ISIL staging areas.

• Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and wounded an ISIL fighter.

• Near Ramadi, six strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed five ISIL buildings, an ISIL tactical vehicle, an ISIL excavator, two ISIL vehicles, two ISIL improvised explosive device clusters, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

• Near Sinjar, 24 strikes [2 British] struck nine separate ISIL tactical units, nine ISIL staging areas, and destroyed 27 fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL improvised explosive device, six ISIL assembly areas, two ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, two ISIL command and control nodes, an ISIL bunker, two ISIL caches, four ISIL staging areas, and suppressed an ISIL heavy machine gun.

• Near Tal Afar, six strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, three ISIL staging areas, an ISIL bridge, and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL observation post, and two ISIL bunkers.

On Wednesday 11 November, a Reaper used a GBU-12 guided bomb to destroy a terrorist-held building near Sinjar, then successfully attacked with a Hellfire missile a group of ISIL fighters as they attempted to move to a new position. Meanwhile, over Ramadi, a Tornado patrol destroyed a terrorist truck bomb with a Brimstone missile.

Coalition airstrikes support major Peshmerga ground offensive to clear Sinjar, control key ISIL supply route

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Coalition airstrikes are supporting a major Peshmerga offensive operation in northwestern Iraq, announced by the Kurdistan Region Security Council Nov. 12, 2015. During “Operation Free Sinjar,” the Peshmerga intend to clear Sinjar of Da’ish (an Arabic acronym for ISIL) terrorists from the town and seize portions of Highway 47, a significant Da’ish supply route between Ar Raqqah, Syria, and Mosul, Iraq.

By controlling Highway 47, which is used by Da’ish to transport weapons, fighters, illicit oil, and other commodities that fund their operations, the Coalition intends to increase pressure on Da’ish and isolate their components from each other.

Coalition aircraft have conducted more than 250 airstrikes over the past month across northern Iraq. Strikes destroyed Da’ish fighting positions, command and control facilities, weapon storage facilities, improvised explosive device factories, and staging areas.

The ground assault began in the early morning hours of Nov. 12, when Peshmerga units successfully established blocking positions along Highway 47 and began clearing Sinjar. The Peshmerga will continue operations to re-establish government control over key portions of the area.

“The Iraqi Security Forces, including the Peshmerga, continue to put pressure on Da’ish across Iraq, including in Ramadi, Bayji, and now Sinjar and along Highway 47,” said Col. Christopher C. Garver, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve Public Affairs Officer. “This operation will degrade Da’ish’s resupply efforts, disrupt funding to the terrorist group’s operations, stem the flow of Da’ish fighters into Iraq, and further isolate Mosul from Ar Raqqah.”

Coalition airstrikes will continue to target Da’ish’s leaders, revenue sources, supply routes, command facilities, and weapons caches to dismantle their operations in Iraq and Syria.

On Nov. 10, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes using bomber, fighter, attack, and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, fighter, 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 Al Hasakah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) and an ISIL staging area.

• Near Al Hawl, five strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL building, and an ISIL VBIED.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes struck an ISIL gas oil separation plant and destroyed three ISIL front end loaders and damaged two ISIL cranes.

• Near Mar’a, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

• Near Palmyra, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL tactical vehicle and damaged a separate ISIL vehicle.

Iraq

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

• Near Mosul, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

• Near Ramadi, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL excavator, two ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL buildings, and an ISIL 23mm anti-aircraft artillery piece.

• Near Sinjar, six strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL command and control nodes, three ISIL vehicles, and 18 ISIL staging areas.

• Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

• Near Al Huwayjah, four strikes struck an ISIL headquarters, an ISIL weapons cache, an ISIL logistical facility, and an ISIL security headquarters.

• Near Albu Hayat, one strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit, and destroyed two ISIL buildings, three ISIL weapons caches, and three ISIL fighting positions.

Nederlandse F-16’s in het Midden-Oosten hebben wapens ingezet tegen vuurposities en een verzamelplaats van ISIS.

In de omgeving van Erbil is de Infanterie Basis Cursus die op 4 oktober begon, beëindigd. Meer dan 700 Peshmerga-militairen ontvingen het certificaat.

On Nov. 9, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes using bomber, fighter, attack, and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, fighter, and attack aircraft against ISIL targets. The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

* Near Al Hasakah, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).

* Near Al Hawl, six strikes destroyed 22 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL mortar position, an ISIL structure, and an ISIL anti-air artillery piece.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes [2 French] struck three ISIL gas and oil separation plants, two ISIL pump stations, and an ISIL crude oil main pump station.

Iraq

* Near Albu Hayat, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL homemade explosives cache, two ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL boat.

* Near Fallujah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle and suppressed an ISIL anti-air artillery piece.

* Near Ramadi, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL heavy machine guns, 15 ISIL weapons caches, an ISIL tactical vehicle, an ISIL mortar, an ISIL building, damaged another ISIL building, and denied ISIL access to terrain.

* Near Sinjar, seven strikes [1 British] struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 30 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL light machine guns, and an ISIL command and control node.

* Near Tal Afar, two strikes destroyed six ISIL fighting positions and suppressed an ISIL light machine gun position.

Dans la soirée du 9 novembre 2015, les Mirage 2000 déployés sur la Base aérienne projetée (BAP) en Jordanie ont de nouveau effectué des frappes sur les zones contrôlées par Daech en Syrie. Il s’agit de la deuxième série de frappes réalisée par la France en l’espace de 48h00.

Les deux frappes ont visé des stations de pompage de pétrole situées en Syrie dans la région sud-est de Deir ez-Zor. Réalisées en coordination avec la coalition, elles ont été menées sur la base des renseignements collectés ces dernières semaines lors des vols de reconnaissance. L’objectif est d’affaiblir les capacités financières de Daech en perturbant l’exploitation des ressources pétrolières dans les zones sous le contrôle de ce groupe terroriste.

Les appareils engagés dans cette mission (Mirage 2000 N et Mirage 2000 D) étaient équipés d’une bombe guidée laser GBU 24. Les frappes ont débuté à 19 heures, heure française. Les deux objectifs ciblés ont été détruits. Ce raid n’a pas nécessité de ravitaillement en vol.

The next day [November 9th 2015], the GR4s provided close air support to a Kurdish unit on the outskirts of Sinjar, which was in close combat with terrorists, armed with rocket-propelled grenades, who were defending a fortified compound. Despite the proximity of the Kurdish troops, our aircrew were able to conduct a carefully planned attack with two Paveway IV guided bombs that destroyed the compound.