Quelques jours plus tôt, le 17 août 2015, les aéronefs français engagés dans Chammal ont réalisé la 200ème frappe française, après avoir dépassé les 1000 missions1 aériennes en juillet 2015.

On Aug. 16, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted five airstrikes using fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 13 airstrikes coordinated with the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

“Coalition airstrikes and the ISF have produced devastating results against Daesh terrorists in the vicinity of the Bayji oil refinery,” said Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, chief of staff, CJTF-OIR. “The area remains contested, but we have disrupted Daesh’s freedom of movement and they have suffered significant personnel losses in their counterattacks.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Aleppo, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL anti-tank weapon.
• Near Kobani, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL mortar firing position.

Iraq

• Near Al Qaim, one airstrike struck an ISIL checkpoint.
• Near Bayji, two airstrikes [1 British] struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed nine ISIL vehicles, seven ISIL buildings and three ISIL VBIEDs.
• Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL mortar systems and an ISIL mortar cache.
• Near Makhmur, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL weapons cache.
• Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL rocket firing position.
• Near Ramadi, three airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL building, an ISIL VBIED and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL heavy machine gun firing position and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL light machine gun.
• Near Tuz, one airstrike destroyed 10 ISIL fighting positions.

Tornado GR4s from RAF Akrotiri provided close air support to the Iraqi army near Bayji on Sunday 16 August. Having carried out some valuable reconnaissance work, they spotted two ISIL vehicles – a bulldozer and an armoured truck – close to the front line. The vehicles were destroyed by a simultaneous attack with a pair of Paveway IV guided bombs.

On Aug. 15, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted seven airstrikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 15 airstrikes coordinated with the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, 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, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL bunkers and two ISIL excavators.
• Near Aleppo, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Ayn Isa, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL resupply vehicle.
• Near Kobani, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.

Iraq

• Near Al Qaim, one airstrike struck an ISIL staging facility.
• Near Bayji, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL VBIED.
• Near Fallujah, four airstrikes struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage and destroyed two ISIL buildings, an ISIL VBIED, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL obstruction.
• Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL vehicles and an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL mortar tube and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed 10 ISIL excavators, six ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery piece, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Ramadi, two airstrikes struck one large and one small ISIL tactical units and destroyed seven ISIL buildings and an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions.

On 15 August 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position in Sinjar using precision guided munitions.

On Aug. 14, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted five airstrikes using bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 15 airstrikes coordinated with the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, 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, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed six ISIL excavators, an ISIL heavy machine gun, three ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL bulldozer.

• Near Aleppo, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.

Iraq

• Near Al Baghdadi, one airstrike destroyed three ISIL rocket rails and an ISIL weapons cache.

• Near Bayji, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL bunker.

• Near Fallujah, one airstrike had inconclusive results.

• Near Haditha, three airstrikes struck an ISIL command and control facility and two ISIL staging areas.

• Near Kirkuk, one airstrike struck an ISIL mortar firing position.

• Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL mortar firing position.

• Near Mosul, one airstrike destroyed six ISIL fighting positions.

• Near Ramadi, five airstrikes struck two large and one small ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL buildings, three ISIL IEDs an ISIL truck, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL weapons cache.

• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL heavy machine gun.

Iraqi security forces are very active in western Iraq, where they are conducting successful operations to isolate Ramadi, cutting off ISIL supply routes into the city.

RAF aircraft have helped provide support, and on Friday 14 August an RAF Reaper flew overwatch for Iraqi troops, supported by artillery, as they engaged a number of terrorist positions. The Reaper’s crew were able to use the aircraft’s advanced surveillance capabilities to pinpoint a group of terrorists who were firing on the Iraqi forces from a concealed position in a treeline, allowing coalition fast jets to conduct a successful strike with guided bombs.

The Reaper then identified a heavy machine-gun team and eliminated the threat with an Hellfire missile. It continued to work closely with the coalition fast jets, assisting them in an attack that destroyed two more terrorist positions, then delivered another Hellfire attack of its own, destroying a truck as the ISIL extremists retreated.

Chammal :

Les avions de l’opération Chammal, patrouilleur maritime Atlantique2, Mirage2000 D&N etRafale, ont réalisé cette semaine 17 missions en relation avec le CAOC 1du Qatar et suivi en conduite par le JOC 2Chammal. Certaines de ces missions ont pu être réalisées conjointement avec les autres forces aériennes de l’opérationInherent Resolvedont Chammal est la participation française.

Les missions de reconnaissance armée ont conduit à la destruction de caches d’armes deDaech, de plusieurs véhicules et de positions armées à partir desquelles le groupe terroriste autoproclamé opérait des manœuvres de harcèlement des forces de sécurité irakiennes. Au total, le bilan de ces missions aériennes fait état de 6 objectifs détruits.

En Irak, dans le secteur de Bagdad, le détachement d’instruction opérationnel n°13 poursuit un stage de 8 semaines en techniques commando auprès des militaires de l’ICTS, l’Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service, et le détachement Advise & Assist continue sa formation au profit des officiers de l’état-major de la 6thInfantry Division.

On Aug. 13, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight airstrikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 23 airstrikes coordinated with the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

“Coalition airstrikes in Ramadi have destroyed many Daesh forces, equipment and fighting positions,” said Col. Mike Indovina, spokesman, CJTF-OIR. “The continued pounding of Daesh defensive positions sets the conditions for ISF as they advance closer to the city in order to completely encircle Ramadi, “tightening the noose” around the city, before commencing clearing operations.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed five ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL bunker.

• Near Aleppo, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL recoilless rifles, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL fighting position.

• Near Ar Raqqah, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units.

• Near Kobani, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Iraq

• Near Al Huwayjah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Bayji, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL resupply caches.

• Near Fallujah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery piece and an ISIL weapons cache.

• Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and terrain features denying ISIL a tactical advantage and destroyed three ISIL buildings.

• Near Kirkuk, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL bunker.

• Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL mortar firing position.

• Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions.

• Near Ramadi, six airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and an ISIL fighting position and destroyed three ISIL buildings, two ISIL IEDs, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL recoilless rifle.

• Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions and four ISIL light machine guns.

• Near Tal Afar, six airstrikes struck four ISIL staging areas and destroyed an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery piece and an ISIL VBIED.

• Near Tuz, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Coalition aircraft, including two RAF GR4s, staged a large coordinated air strike on Thursday 13 August against a terrorist strongpoint in northern Iraq, to the east of Tal Afar. This was at a village, the population of which had forced out by ISIL, with the buildings turned into fortified positions in the front line against the advancing Kurdish peshmerga. Very careful surveillance by both the Kurdish troops and aerial reconnaissance allowed a number of key elements of the strong point to be identified, including headquarters, terrorist accommodation, equipment stores and heavy weapon positions. This patient and thorough intelligence analysis allowed a coordinated attack to be mounted by coalition jets against multiple targets, with the GR4s dropping Paveway IV guided bombs.

A second flight of GR4s then provided close air support through the evening to the peshmerga, in the course of which a successful strike was conducted on a terrorist mortar position.

On Wednesday 12 August, an RAF Reaper delivered successful Hellfire attacks on a Da’ish position and a truck.

On Aug. 12, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 12 airstrikes using attack, bomber, fighter and fighter-attack aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 12 airstrikes coordinated with the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, 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 Abu Kamal, two airstrikes destroyed an ISIL front end loader and an ISIL bridge.
• Near Al Hasakah, five airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units and destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Aleppo, three airstrikes struck an ISIL staging facility and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL trench lines and an ISIL bunker.
• Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions [see video] and an ISIL motorcycle.

Iraq

• Near Al Baghdadi, one airstrike destroyed five ISIL rocket rails.
• Near Bayji, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL weapons cache.
• Near Haditha, two airstrikes destroyed two ISIL mortar systems, an ISIL building and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Kirkuk, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL mortar firing position.
• Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL mortar firing position and destroyed 19 ISIL bunkers.
• Near Ramadi, two airstrikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL buildings, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL recoilless rifle.
• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL light machine gun and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Tal Afar, one airstrike struck an ISIL heavy machine gun firing position.

On Aug. 11, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted nine airstrikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 10 airstrikes coordinated with the Government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter and fighter-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, five airstrikes struck one large and four small ISIL tactical units and destroyed 10 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL bunkers and an ISIL structure.

• Near Aleppo, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL excavator and an ISIL staging area and destroyed an ISIL excavator.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, one airstrike struck an ISIL bridge.

Iraq

• Near Al Huwayjah, two airstrikes struck two ISIL heavy machine gun firing positions.

• Near Bayji, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL homemade explosives cache.

• Near Makhmur, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar firing position.

• Near Ramadi, three airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL IED.

• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL light machine gun.

• Near Tal Afar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.

The following day [August 11 2015], GR4s used a Paveway guided bomb to hit yet another large stockpile of explosives, which it appeared were being prepared for use as improvised explosive devices.

De danske F-16-fly, der er udsendt som bidrag til Operation Inherent Resolve, har siden seneste opdatering 4. august fløjet 12 missioner og anvendt 14 bomber.

Missionerne, som de danske fly har deltaget i, har været offensive, og de danske fly har i den forløbne periode primært deltaget i missioner i Ninawa og Al Anbar provinserne. Målene for bomberne har været fjendtlige våbenstillinger, bygninger og materiel anvendt af ISIL.

De danske fly har fløjet Close Air Support-missioner (CAS), hvor flyene er indsat som luftstøtte til styrker på landjorden. Her vil flyene patruljere over et bestemt område, hvorefter de vil kunne blive indsat af koalitionen, når der er behov for støtte. Luftstøtten vil variere afhængig af, hvad der er behov for. Det kan både dreje sig om overvågningsopgaver og bombninger af mål.

På de missioner, hvor de danske F-16 ikke har anvendt våben, har de bidraget med overvågning og indhentning af efterretninger. På sådanne overvågningsmissioner er flyene dog altid klar til at anvende våben, hvis der er behov for det.

Siden første mission den 16. oktober 2014, har det danske bidrag i alt fløjet 464 missioner og anvendt 411 bomber. Alle de danske bomber er præcisionsstyrede, hvilket vil sige, at de styres mod deres mål ved hjælp af enten laser eller GPS.

Nederlandse F-16’s in het Midden-Oosten zetten wapens in tegen vuurposities en bunkers van ISIS-strijders. Dat gebeurde in meer dan 10 missies. In Erbil begon een nieuwe lichting Peshmerga aan de Infantry Battle Course en in Bagdad startte een nieuwe ploeg met de commando-opleiding.

On Aug. 10, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 10 airstrikes using bomber, fighter, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 20 airstrikes coordinated with the Government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

“Anti-ISIL forces continue to engage ISIL in northern Syria, as ISIL fighters are targeted and killed by coalition airstrikes,” said Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, chief of staff, CJTF-OIR. “The cumulative effect of the airstrikes is creating a difficult environment for ISIL to conduct operations and expand its influence.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, five airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL bunker, an ISIL structure and an ISIL armored vehicle.

• Near Aleppo, one airstrike destroyed three ISIL bunkers.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, one airstrike struck an ISIL crude oil collection point.

• Near Kobani, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar system and an ISIL mortar system supply point.

Iraq

• Near Bayji, three airstrikes struck one large and one small ISIL tactical unit and destroyed eight ISIL tractor trailers, four ISIL structures, two ISIL armored vehicles, two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL fuel trucks, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL observation point.

• Near Fallujah, one airstrike struck an ISIL river obstruction.

• Near Haditha, two airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL structure and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Kirkuk, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL building and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Makhmur, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 10 ISIL fighting positions.

• Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and two ISIL mortar firing positions and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL excavator and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Ramadi, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL structures, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL weapons cache.

• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.

• Near Tal Afar, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL tunnel system.

• Near Tuz, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

Monday 10 August saw a Reaper operating in support of the Kurdish peshmerga; it conducted four successful Hellfire attacks during its patrol, destroying an enemy vehicle and three terrorist positions.

Tornado GR4s were also active, conducting simultaneous attacks with Brimstone missiles on an ISIL excavator and truck which were caught in the process of constructing fortified positions near Khorsabad.

On Aug. 9, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight airstrikes using bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 21 airstrikes coordinated with the Government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

“Our airstrikes against Daesh in northern Syria have resulted in the loss of approximately 17,000 square kilometers by Daesh,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR public affairs officer. “Anti-ISIL forces and coalition airstrikes have freed many from the barbarism of Daesh, denied Daesh a safe haven and has provided Iraqi forces the needed time and space to regenerate combat power and go on the offensive.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, five airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL bunkers, two ISIL structures, an ISIL excavator and an ISIL supply truck.

• Near Aleppo, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

• Near Tal Abyad, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL bunker.

Iraq

• Near Al Huwayjah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL homemade explosives factory.

• Near Bayji, four airstrikes struck two large and one small ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL vehicles and two ISIL structures.

• Near Fallujah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL bunker, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL weapons cache.

• Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL excavator.

• Near Makhmur, four airstrikes struck two ISIL staging areas and destroyed 19 ISIL fighting positions.

• Near Mosul, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL caches and an ISIL building.

• Near Ramadi, five airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL building, an ISIL homemade explosives resupply trailer, an ISIL IED and an ISIL VBIED.

• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL tunnel system.

• Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL heavy machine gun firing position and an ISIL mortar firing position.

On Sunday 9 August, an RAF Reaper remotely piloted aircraft provided close air support to Iraqi army units conducting operations against ISIL terrorists in western Iraq. A large trailer was identified, concealed under trees, being loaded with bags of explosives. The Reaper’s crew destroyed the trailer and the explosives with a pair of Hellfire missiles.

A second vehicle carrying explosives was then investigated in the same area and, despite again being concealed under trees, a direct hit from a Hellfire destroyed the truck and its deadly load.

Meanwhile, in northern Iraq, two Tornado GR4s from RAF Akrotiri, supported by a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker, were similarly denying the terrorists large quantities of explosives; another coalition aircraft had identified large stockpiles being held by ISIL in two storage buildings at a site from which the civilians had been driven out. Two Paveway bombs were used to strike the buildings, with the stockpiled explosives completely destroyed.

On Aug. 8, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted seven airstrikes using attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 16 airstrikes coordinated with the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter, 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, four airstrikes struck one large and one small ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL bunker, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL recoilless rifle firing position.
• Near Aleppo, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL vehicles and two ISIL anti-aircraft artillery piece.
• Near Kobani, one airstrike struck an ISIL tank.

Iraq

• Near Fallujah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Kirkuk, one airstrike struck an ISIL mortar firing position.
• Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Mosul, five airstrikes [1 Canadian] destroyed three ISIL excavators and two ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Ramadi, three airstrikes struck one large and one small ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL structures, an ISIL heavy machine gun firing position, an ISIL recoilless rifle, an ISIL weapons cache and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Sinjar, three airstrikes [1 Canadian] struck one large and one small ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL staging area and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL armored vehicle and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Tal Afar, one airstrike struck an ISIL sniper firing position.

On 8 August 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position in Sinjar using precision guided munitions.

On 8 August 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position north of Mosul using precision guided munitions.

On Aug. 7, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted nine airstrikes using bomber, attack, fighter, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 10 airstrikes coordinated with the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

“Coalition forces conducted 44 airstrikes in support of anti-ISIL forces in Syria this week alone,” said Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, CJTF-OIR chief of staff. “The success of anti-ISIL forces in Syria, backed by coalition airstrikes, has resulted in two-thirds of Syria’s northern border now defended by anti-ISIL forces. The result has devastated Daesh’s key lines of communication between Syria and Turkey.” The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, six airstrikes struck one large and one small ISIL tactical unit and destroyed nine ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL bunkers, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL building, an ISIL motorcycle and an ISIL weapons cache.
• Near Aleppo, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike struck an ISIL front end loader.
• Near Dayr Az Zawr, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL crane.

Iraq

• Near Al Baghdadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Bayji, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL vehicles and an ISIL weapons cache.
• Near Fallujah, one airstrike struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage.
• Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL VBIED.
• Near Haditha, three airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL building and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Mosul, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Ramadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL IED.
• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed six ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL vehicle.

On Aug. 6, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted six airstrikes using bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted nine airstrikes coordinated with the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter-attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

Coalition forces and Iraqi security forces now dictate the pace of operations in the region.

“The coalition, in coordination with the YPG, has conducted 15 airstrikes in the vicinity of Al Hasakah this week,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR public affairs officer. “These airstrikes have had a decimating effect on Daesh terrorists and have allowed the YPG to establish greater control of the city.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, one airstrike struck ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.

• Near Aleppo, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL staging area and destroyed two ISIL excavators.

• Near Ayn Isa, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL excavator.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, two airstrikes destroyed an ISIL excavator.

Iraq

• Near Al Huwayjah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Fallujah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Makhmur, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 23 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles and two ISIL heavy machine guns.

• Near Mosul, one airstrike [British] destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL rocket system.

• Near Ramadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positons, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL bunker.

• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL light machine gun.

Thursday 6 August saw our aircraft once more providing close air support to the peshmerga, this time to the east of Mosul, and Tornado GR4s used a Brimstone missile to destroy a pick-up truck used by a terrorist rocket team.

On Wednesday 5 August, two GR4s supported Iraqi units near Bayji, and successfully destroyed a vehicle and terrorist group attempting to hide under pipework at a disused industrial site with a Paveway IV.

On 5 August 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS staging area south of Kirkuk using precision guided munitions.

On 5 August 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.

On Aug. 5, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 11 airstrikes using fighter, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 16 airstrikes coordinated with the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter-attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.
Coalition strikes degrade command and control and resupply efforts of Daesh, while Daesh fighters attempt to control populations and lines of communications.
“The coalition and our partners on the ground are continuing to tighten the noose around Daesh in Iraq and Syria,” said Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, CJTF-OIR chief of staff. “Every member of the coalition plays a vital role in degrading the terrorist organization, and we are all working to dismantle Daesh while limiting their ability to harm civilians.”
The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, seven airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units and destroyed 11 ISIL fighting positons, three ISIL motorcycles and two ISIL bunkers.
• Near Aleppo, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positons and an ISIL building.
• Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed four ISIL buildings and an ISIL checkpoint.
• Near Kobani, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

Iraq

• Near Al Huwayjah, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL checkpoint.
• Near Bayji, four airstrikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit and three ISIL staging areas and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Habbaniyah, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL armored personnel carriers, two ISIL structures, an ISIL IED and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Hit, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL light machine gun and an ISIL fighting positon.
• Near Makhmur, three airstrikes [1 Canadian] struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 17 ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL weapons cache.
• Near Ramadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL light machine gun.
• Near Tal Afar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL light machine gun.

On Aug. 4, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted seven airstrikes using fighter, fighter-attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 22 airstrikes coordinated with the Government of Iraq using attack, fighter-attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

Coalition’s airstrikes continue to destroy and degrade ISIL’s tactical and combat equipment within Iraq.

“Coalition forces are achieving debilitating effects against the enemy,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR chief of public affairs. “The coalition strikes, in coordination with the ISF, destroy Daesh capabilities and provide the ISF an increased operational capability and freedom of movement.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, five airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL bunker, seven ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Ar Raqqah, two airstrikes struck two large ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL container, three ISIL vehicles and an ISIL building.

Iraq

• Near Fallujah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL excavator.
• Near Habbaniyah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL structures.
• Near Hit, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL VBIED.
• Near Makhmur, three airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL bunker, 15 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Mosul, five airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL weapons cache, three ISIL fighting positions and six ISIL bunkers.
• Near Ramadi, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL weapons cache.
• Near Sinjar, eight airstrikes [including by Britain] struck an ISIL tactical unit and seven ISIL staging areas and destroyed an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery weapon and an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Tal Afar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s and other coalition aircraft conducted a very large series of attacks on ISIL terrorist positions in northern Iraq on the evening of Tuesday 4 August.

Previously, the Kurdish peshmerga, trained and equipped by the international coalition, including by a British Army training team, and well supported from the air, have liberated significant swathes of territory in northern Iraq from ISIL control, including key towns such as Rabiyah and Zumar, and rescued the Yazidi and other Kurdish refugees who were besieged by the terrorists a year ago on Mount Sinjar. A recent offensive, which RAF and other coalition aircraft supported, succeeded in driving back the terrorists to the west of Kirkuk.

Following these peshmerga successes, the ISIL terrorists had fallen back to the south-eastern foothills of Mount Sinjar, where they had taken over numerous buildings for use as headquarters, barracks, ammunition and equipment depots, all supporting a network of fortified positions several kilometres in length. Extensive surveillance by both the Kurdish troops on Mount Sinjar and from coalition aircraft confirmed that there was no residual civilian presence at these sites, and allowed some forty terrorist targets to be positively identified.

This intelligence work allowed the coalition to mount a large, carefully planned air attack on this array of targets, coordinated with a barrage of mortar and heavy weapon fire from the Kurdish positions on the mountain. Two RAF Tornado GR4s, supported by a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker, used Paveway IV precision guided bombs to strike six of the fortified ISIL targets. Initial analysis indicates that the attack was a success.

Further south the same day, an RAF Reaper meanwhile provided close air support to Iraqi army offensive operations in Anbar province. A group of armed terrorists were spotted getting into a vehicle, which was then tracked by the Reaper’s crew – despite the speed of the target, it was successfully hit by a Hellfire missile.