SOUTHWEST ASIA –
On Oct. 22 a Coalition strike destroyed several buildings used by Daesh to launch attacks against Syrian Democratic Force partners in As Susah, Syria. One of those facilities used by Daesh was a mosque that was being used as a defensive fighting position and command center. The strike killed several Daesh as they were actively firing on coalition partner forces, which eliminated another Daesh capability from the battlefield.
As the second coalition strike on an active Daesh fighting position originating from a mosque in less than a week, Daesh demonstrates desperation and the willingness to misuse protected structures to launch military attacks against SDF and Coalition forces. After monitoring to reduce the risk to civilians, the Coalition precision strike targeted and destroyed the buildings adapted by Daesh terrorists as command centers and fighting positions when only their fighters were present.
Daesh continues to violate the Law of Armed Conflict and misuse religious sites. Coalition strikes will continue to target Daesh in the Middle Euphrates River Valley, as the Coalition and SDF advance to defeat Daesh in their self-proclaimed caliphate.