On 26 May 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 Bayji using precision guided munitions.

On 26 May 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 Mosul using precision guided munitions.

De danske F-16-fly, der er udsendt som bidrag til Operation Inherent Resolve, har siden seneste opdatering 19. maj fløjet 13 missioner og anvendt 16 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 Salah al Din og Ninawa provinserne. Målene for bomberne har været bygninger, fjendtlige styrker samt køretøjer.

De danske fly har fløjet Close Air Support-missioner (CAS), hvor flyene er indsat direkte 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.

De danske fly har også gennemført Air Interdiction-missioner. Her gennemføres et specifikt angreb mod et på forhånd defineret mål, hvor flyene flyver direkte til målet, anvender bomber og flyver retur. I denne uge har målene for bomberne været kampstillinger.

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 356 missioner og anvendt 302 bomber. Alle de danske bomber er præcisionsstyrede, hvilket vil sige, at de styres mod deres mål ved hjælp af enten laser eller GPS.

F-16 gevechtsvliegtuigen vlogen ongeveer 15 missies boven Irak. Ze wierpen bijna 40 bommen op doelen van ISIS. Daaronder was ook de 500e sinds het begin van strijd tegen deze terreurorganisatie. Een overzicht van Defensie-operaties van 18 tot en met 25 mei.

May 26th 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 25, and 8 a.m., May 26, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted seven airstrikes using attack, bomber and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 12 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“Coalition airstrikes struck multiple targets near Mosul, Iraq,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR chief of public affairs. “The Coalition continues to shape this region for future offensive operations.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, seven airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units, an ISIL natural gas production plant and an ISIL headquarters, destroying four ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL mortar position.

Iraq

• Near Bayji, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL excavator.

• Near Fallujah, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL homemade explosives resupply vehicles and an ISIL armored vehicle.

• Near Hit, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL resupply vehicle.

• Near Mosul, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL rocket firing position, destroying two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL building and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL buildings and two ISIL heavy machine guns.

• Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL heavy machine gun, destroying two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL mortar position.

Separately, in northwest Syria on May 25, coalition military forces conducted an airstrike using remotely piloted aircraft against a network of veteran al Qaida operatives, sometimes called the “Khorasan Group,” who are plotting external attacks against the United States and our allies. The airstrike struck a tactical unit, destroying a vehicle.

Military leaders representing member states of a Combined Joint Task Force met to discuss the mission to dismantle and ultimately defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The multinational conference convened May 19-20 to discuss the way ahead in Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.

“The conference enabled all the participating nations to share the latest information and exchange their views on the current situation,” said one of the Australian Defense Force attendees. “This common understanding is critical in advancing our mission to defeat Daesh.”

Military leaders from approximately 21 Nations attended the conference to discuss a number of strategies, concerns, and opportunities for the way forward in Iraq. The key leaders discussed the progress made against ISIL since the last coalition conference in mid-February, and also the future plans of action to enable Iraqi forces in regaining lost territory. The unanimous conclusion was that ISIL will eventually be defeated by the coalition, although there is much to be done along the way to this end state.

“Recent tactical-level setbacks will not dissuade the Coalition’s commitment to defeating Daesh across our operations area” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, CJTF-OIR chief of staff. “Positive steps and effects are occurring throughout the battlespace, which, in combination, are encouraging signs of the operational-level progress to date within the Campaign.”

Iraqi Security Forces have commenced offensive operations on multiple fronts in Iraq, with assistance from coalition partners in the form of aviation fires and reconnaissance, training of security force personnel, advisory teams, and new weapons and equipment. The Coalition expects to provide 2,000 additional anti-tank rockets to the Government of Iraq within the next week.

“A key part of the Coalition’s campaign plan is to build the military capacity of Iraqi forces in order to enable their government to conduct effective operations against Daesh and re-establish control over their borders and territory,” said an Australian Defense Force attendee.

Coalition forces have executed over 4,100 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria since the beginning of the Campaign.

“The fight against Daesh is a global fight and needs global solutions,” said a senior coalition officer. “This coalition is an example of the global military response to this threat.”

The conference was used as a platform for key military leaders to brief planners from around the world about the state of their Nation’s support to the Coalition and the mission.

“This conference illustrates how a U.S. mission has grown to a combined joint coalition mission,” said a senior officer of the coalition.

Many coalition partner nations participate in the CJTF-OIR Building Partner Capacity (BPC) training mission. The positive progress made in training Iraqi and Kurdish Security Force personnel was discussed during the conference and the attendees agreed that BPC aided in strengthening Iraqi soldiers’ combat proficiency, leadership, and capability, though it was recognized there is always room for improvement.

Several coalition nations also contribute to the Advise and Assist mission, which forms partnerships with select ISF/KSF headquarters units using Coalition cross-functional teams from like headquarters elements. Coalition Advise and Assist teams have played a critical role in developing understanding on the battlefield and integrating the many facets of Coalition support, and have proved to be a catalyst for successful operations on the ground.

Conference attendees acknowledged (again) the complexities of the operating environment, but viewed the strategy going forward in Iraq as achievable. All believe that with Coalition support continuing to enable the Security Forces of Iraq, the defeat of ISIL will occur in time.

“We are working in close coordination with the Government of Iraq and their security forces, to develop supporting plans to their operations to overcome the setback in Ramadi,” said Lt. Gen. James Terry, CJTF-OIR commander. “These efforts remain an integral component of the wider Coalition Campaign to defeat Daesh.”

May 25th 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 24, and 8 a.m., May 25, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 10 airstrikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 25 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“Kurdish fighters, supported by the Coalition, are forcing Daesh to cede territory in northern Syria at an increasing rate,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, CJTF-OIR Chief of Staff. “Coalition campaign activities in Syria are achieving effects on Daesh.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, seven airstrikes struck two large and four small ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL checkpoint, an ISIL excavator, an ISIL VBIED and an ISIL vehicle. There were no observed civilian casualties from the airstrikes. Kurdish fighters reported an ISIL VBIED detonation which resulted in an undetermined number of civilians injured in the area.

• Near Ar Raqqah, two airstrikes destroyed an ISIL excavator and an ISIL tank.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL multiple rocket launcher vehicle.

Iraq

• Near Baghdadi, five airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL structures, two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL armored excavator, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL VBIED.

• Near Bayji, three airstrikes destroyed an ISIL dump truck, an ISIL excavator and an ISIL tanker.

• Near Fallujah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery piece and an ISIL fighting position.

• Near Hit, one airstrike struck an ISIL VBIED facility.

• Near Mosul, nine airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units and an ISIL staging area, destroying four ISIL heavy machine guns, three ISIL buildings, an ISIL armored vehicle, an ISIL excavator and an ISIL VBIED.

• Near Ramadi, one airstrike struck an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL buildings, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL rocket-propelled grenade.

• Near Tal Afar, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL vehicle, destroying two ISIL buildings, two ISIL heavy machine guns and two ISIL mortar systems.

Sunday 24 May saw a Reaper in the same area [Anbar province] destroy an ISIL armoured vehicle which was in close combat with Iraqi forces with a Hellfire and then provided surveillance support to four successful strikes by coalition aircraft on ISIL buildings and a bulldozer which had been packed with explosives for an attack on the Iraqi troops.

On 23 May 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.

May 24th 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 23, and 8 a.m., May 24, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 11 airstrikes using attack, bomber and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 17 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“The Coalition is continuing to target Daesh support zones throughout the battlespace,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR Chief of Public Affairs. “Striking explosives and weapons manufacturing facilities will advance the pressure on Daesh military capacity.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, nine airstrikes struck two large and three small ISIL tactical units, destroying eight ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL vehicles, an ISIL tank and an ISIL armored vehicle.

• Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL fighting position.

Iraq

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

• Near Al Qaim, two airstrikes struck an ISIL homemade explosive manufacturing facility, destroying an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL buildings and two ISIL heavy machine guns.

• Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, an ISIL weapons manufacturing facility and an ISIL defensive position, destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL building and an ISIL tank.

• Near Ramadi, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL artillery piece, an ISIL armored personnel carrier, an ISIL armored vehicle, and 15 armored vehicles, two armored personnel carriers and two other support vehicles located in ISIL controlled territory.

• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL buildings, an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL mortar system and an ISIL artillery piece.

• Near Tal Afar, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL mortar position, destroying three ISIL heavy machine guns and four ISIL fighting positions.

May 23rd 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 22, and 8 a.m., May 23, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted five airstrikes using attack, bomber and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 22 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“The Coalition struck Daesh across the depth of our operations area,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, CJTF-OIR chief of staff. “The cumulative effects of operational and tactical-level targeting are impacting Daesh fighting capacity.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL tank and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Dayr Az Zawr, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL semi-truck.

• Near Kobani, one airstrike struck a large ISIL large tactical unit, destroying six ISIL fighting positions.

• Near Tadmur, one airstrike destroyed six ISIL anti-aircraft artillery systems and an ISIL artillery piece.

Iraq

• Near Al Asad, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

• Near Bayji, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL vehicles, an ISIL command and control facility, an ISIL structure and an ISIL VBIED.

• Near Fallujah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Haditha, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL structure and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Kirkuk, one airstrike struck an ISIL fighting position.

• Near Makhmur, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL building and an ISIL mortar system.

• Near Mosul, four airstrikes [1 Canadian] struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL checkpoint, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL building.

• Near Ramadi, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying multiple heavy machine guns, two ISIL VBIEDs, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL fighting position, and three armored vehicles and a tank in ISIL controlled territory.

• Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL buildings and an ISIL heavy machine gun.

• Near Tal Afar, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL heavy machine guns, two ISIL buildings and two ISIL fighting positions.

In the west of the country, Reapers continued to provide overwatch to the Iraqi forces in Anbar province. On Friday 22 May, a Reaper successfully engaged terrorists burying improvised explosive devices next to a road. The aircraft then supported a strike mounted by coalition fast jets on an ISIL-held building.

On 22 May 2015, while taking part in coalition operations in support of Iraqi security forces, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS fighting position southeast of Mosul using precision guided munitions.

May 22nd 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 21, and 8 a.m., May 22, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted five airstrikes using attack and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 15 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“Daesh continues harassing attacks against the Peshmerga near Sinjar,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR chief of public affairs. “The KSF, enabled by the Coalition, repeatedly repel these attacks.”

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

Syria

* Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL VBIED.

* Near Dayr Az Zawr, two airstrikes struck two ISIL wellheads.

* Near Kobani, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

Iraq

* Near Al Asad, two airstrikes destroyed five ISIL buildings.

* Near Haditha, one airstrike struck an ISIL staging area.

* Near Mosul, four airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL tunnel systems, an ISIL motorcycle, an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL cache.

* Near Ramadi, five airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying five ISIL armored vehicles, two ISIL tanks, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL armored personnel carrier, three ISIL IEDs, five abandoned tanks, two abandoned armored personnel carriers and two abandoned armored vehicles.

* Near Sinjar, three airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL buildings, two ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL mortar system.

Iraqi Security Forces and Federal Police, enabled by the Coalition, have successfully cleared and established a ground route into the Bayji Oil Refinery. Reinforcement and resupply of the ISF within the Refinery is on-going. Ground forces, supported by Coalition airstrikes, reconnaissance, and advised and assist elements, maneuvered to clear through the area, establishing route security and reclaiming key terrain.

“In the past 72 hours, we have seen the ISF make steady, measured progress in regaining some of the areas leading to the Bayji Oil Refinery despite the significant Daesh resistance in the form of IEDs, suicide vehicle borne IEDs, as well as heavy weapon and rocket fire attacks,” said Brig. Gen Thomas Weidley, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve chief of staff. “In spite of the isolated nature of where the ISF have been operating and the constant threat from Daesh, creating a safe route to the refinery will allow supplies and reinforcements to arrive. This will assist Security Forces in clearing and securing contested areas in and around the refinery.”

The Bayji Oil Refinery has been an ongoing target for ISIL terrorists, and the area around the Refinery has been contested for several months. Since the liberation of Tikrit, ISIL has increased its attempts to force the withdrawal of the ISF at the refinery and surrounding areas.

Operations in northern Iraq continued the next day [May 22nd 2015] with the Tornados destroying an ISIL heavy weapons position in a building.

They then attacked a further weapons cache in a tunnel and in the course of this strike, a camouflaged position nearby was spotted by the aircrew, confirmed as hostile, and was also bombed.

May 21st 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 20, and 8 a.m., May 21, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight airstrikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 10 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack and fighter aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“Despite the setback in Ramadi, the Coalition continues to apply pressure on Daesh across Iraq and Syria in line with the campaign plan to defeat Daesh,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, CJTF-OIR chief of staff. “This campaign will take time, and we remain focused on fully supporting the government of Iraq in their operations throughout the country.”

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

Syria

* Near Al Hasakah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL trench system, destroying two ISIL fighting positions.

* Near Aleppo, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL VBIED.

* Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike [Canadian] struck an ISIL staging area.

* Near Kobani, five airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL fighting positons, two ISIL mortar positions and an ISIL vehicle.

Iraq

* Near Bayji, two airstrikes struck one large and one small ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL structure.

* Near Fallujah, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

* Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL building and an ISIL heavy machine gun.

* Near Mosul, three airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL tunnel system, destroying three ISIL buildings and three ISIL heavy machine guns.

* Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL buildings and two ISIL heavy machine guns.

* Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tunnel system, destroying an ISIL VBIED.

Near Tawama, Syria, on May 20 coalition military forces conducted two airstrikes using fighter aircraft against a headquarters and training area of a network of veteran al Qaida operatives, sometimes called the “Khorasan Group,” who are plotting external attacks against the United States and our allies. The airstrikes destroyed 10 buildings in two separate compounds. There were no observed women, children or non-combatants in the compounds at the time of the strike.

On 20 May 2015, while taking part in coalition operations against ISIS, two CF-18 Hornets successfully struck an ISIS staging area north of Ar-Raqqah, Syria, using precision guided munitions.

On Wednesday 20 May, Tornados struck a weapons store with Paveways.

Dans la région de Bagdad, les forces françaises poursuivent leurs activités de formations spécifiques au profit de la 6e division irakienne et de l’ICTS (l’Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service). Parallèlement, depuis le 13 mai, dans le cadre du volet aérien de l’opération, 17 sorties aériennes ont été réalisées et 13 frappes portées contre des objectifs au sol dans les régions de Baïji, Ramadi, Mossoul et Sinjar. Ces actions ont permis la destruction de positions de combat, de bâtiments occupés par des combattants et de véhicules suicides.

On Tuesday morning [May 19th] , a Reaper mounted a further successful attack on a terrorist location, while a Tornado patrol employed Paveway bombs to strike several ISIL positions in the same area, including a heavy-machine gun that had opened fire on the Kurds.

On Tuesday 19 May, a Reaper and two Tornado GR4s patrolled northern Iraq, where the peshmerga were conducting offensive operations against ISIL terrorists. The Reaper identified a series of fortified positions; it successfully attacked one bunker with a Hellfire missile, then helped direct three attacks by the Tornado GR4s, which used Paveway IV precision guided bombs to destroy an artillery position and two other bunkers.

The Tornados then destroyed a heavy machine-gun position in a building which had open fired on the Kurdish troops with a highly accurate Paveway attack.

The Reaper, meanwhile, conducted a further attack of its own, destroying a heavily armed vehicle moving at high speed.

The same day also saw another RAF Reaper operating in Anbar province, where it used a Hellfire to destroy a mortar which was firing on Iraqi troops.

Mission Update – RDAF F-16 Operation Inherent Resolve

De danske F-16-fly, der er udsendt som bidrag til Operation Inherent Resolve, har siden seneste opdatering 12. maj fløjet 15 missioner og anvendt 15 bomber.

19-05-2015 – kl. 16:11

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 Salah al Din, Al Anbar, Karbala, Arbil og Ninawa provinserne. Målene for bomberne har været bygninger, fjendtlige styrker samt køretøjer.

De danske fly har fløjet Close Air Support-missioner (CAS), hvor flyene er indsat direkte 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.

De danske fly har også gennemført Air Interdiction-missioner. Her gennemføres et specifikt angreb mod et på forhånd defineret mål, hvor flyene flyver direkte til målet, anvender bomber og flyver retur. Ved disse missioner har målene for bomberne været bygninger.

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 343 missioner og anvendt 286 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 vlogen meer dan 10 missies boven Irak en bombardeerden 20 keer doelen van terreurorganisatie ISIS. Een overzicht van Defensie-operaties van 11 tot en met 17 mei.

May 20th 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 19, and 8 a.m., May 20, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted nine airstrikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 16 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“Our airstrikes struck Daesh elements near along the Euphrates river valley,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR chief of public affairs. “The Coalition applies significant mitigation measures in our targeting process and during the conduct of strike operations to reduce the risks of collateral damage and non-combatant casualties.”

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

Syria

* Near Al Hasakah, seven airstrikes struck two large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL vehicles, two ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL armored vehicles and an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery system.

* Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL vehicles.

Iraq

* Near Al Asad, six airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL structures, an ISIL VBIED and an ISIL mortar system.

* Near Huwayjah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL building and an ISIL heavy machine gun.

* Near Bayji, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying three ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL structure and an ISIL VBIED.

* Near Fallujah, one airstrike struck a large ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL buildings.

* Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL weapons manufacturing facility and an ISIL checkpoint.

* Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying three ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL buildings, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL vehicle.

May 19th 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 18, and 8 a.m., May 19, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted seven airstrikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 14 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“In northern Syria, Daesh continues to cede military capacity, fighters and terrain,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, CJTF-OIR chief of staff. “The Coalition remains committed to targeting Daesh across Iraq and Syria.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, seven airstrikes struck two large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying seven ISIL vehicles, three ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL armored vehicles and an ISIL shipping container. [also see video below]

Iraq

• Near Al Qaim, one airstrike struck an ISIL checkpoint.

• Near Bayji, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL VBIED.

• Near Fallujah, two airstrikes struck one large and one small ISIL tactical unit, destroying six ISIL fighting positions.

• Near Ramadi, four airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL staging area, destroying an ISIL armored vehicle, an ISIL excavator and an ISIL resupply vehicle.

• Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units, destroying three ISIL heavy machine guns and an ISIL excavator.

• Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL rocket firing position, destroying an ISIL building and an ISIL fighting position.

Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 May saw Reapers and Tornadoes flying overwatch for Kurdish peshmerga attacking ISIL near Sinjar City in the north of the country.

On Monday, a Reaper assisted two coalition air strikes on terrorist positions, including a heavy machine-gun team, then conducted a third strike itself with a Hellfire.

May 18th 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 17, and 8 a.m., May 18, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted six airstrikes using bomber and attack aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 19 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

“Coalition airstrikes continued across Iraq including eight strikes in Ramadi,” said Col. Wayne Marotto, CJTF-OIR chief of public affairs. “We’re continuing to monitor reports of the fluid and contested situation in and around Ramadi. We have always known the fight would be long and difficult, particularly in Anbar. The Coalition continues to coordinate with GOI forces and provide requested support to their ongoing operations.”

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

Syria

• Near Al Hasakah, six airstrikes struck one large and three small ISIL tactical units, destroying 14 ISIL vehicles, five ISIL fighting positions and three ISIL armored vehicles.

Iraq

• Near Al Huwayjah, three airstrikes struck an ISIL staging area.

• Near Bayji, two airstrikes [1 British] struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL vehicle.

• Near Fallujah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL armored personnel carriers and two ISIL armored vehicles.

• Near Ramadi, eight airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units and three ISIL buildings, destroying four ISIL fighting positions, five ISIL buildings, two ISIL armored vehicles, two ISIL mortar positions, an ISIL armored personnel carrier, an ISIL ammunition structure, and an ISIL command and control facility.

• Near Sinjar, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and an ISIL sniper position, destroying six ISIL buildings and six ISIL heavy machine guns.

• Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes destroyed an ISIL building, an ISIL excavator, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL VBIED.

On Sunday [May 17th], GR4s again supported Iraqi army operations in the Bayji area, and safely destroyed with a Brimstone missile a car-bomb which the terrorists had positioned ahead of the advancing Iraqi troops [see video below].

A Reaper continued to support the Iraqi forces in Anbar province, including providing surveillance assistance to a successful coalition air strike in Ramadi.

May 17 2015 – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., May 16, and 8 a.m., May 17, local time. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight airstrikes using bomber, attack and fighter aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 18 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.

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

Syria

* Near Al Hasakah, six airstrikes struck one large and two small ISIL tactical units, destroying six ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL vehicles, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL armored vehicle, an ISIL motorcycle and an ISIL excavator.

* Near Kobani, two airstrikes destroyed two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL VBIED and an ISIL building.

Iraq

* Near Bayji, four airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units, destroying six ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL excavator.

* Near Fallujah, three airstrikes struck three ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL building and an ISIL heavy machine gun.

* Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck two ISIL staging areas.

* Near Ramadi, seven airstrikes struck one large and five small ISIL tactical units and an ISIL IED facility, destroying four ISIL resupply structures, three ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL buildings, two ISIL heavy machine guns, an ISIL VBIED and an ISIL motorcycle.

* Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying an ISIL building and an ISIL VBIED.

* Near Tal Afar, one airstrike destroyed two ISIL heavy machine guns and two ISIL buildings.