May 16, 2016
Release # 20160516-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST
ASIA — On May 15, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL
terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces
conducted six strikes using bomber, fighter, and attack aircraft against
ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted
eight strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq
using bomber 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, one strike struck an ISIL financial headquarters.
* Near At Tanf, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle and damaged an ISIL supply cache.
* Near Manbij, one strike destroyed an ISIL rocket rail.
* Near Mar'a, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions.
Iraq
* Near Albu Hayat, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
* Near Ar Rutbah, one strike destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions and denied ISIL access to terrain.
*
Near Habbaniyah, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units
and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL bunker, an ISIL front
end loader, an ISIL artillery piece, and an ISIL recoilless rifle.
* Near Kisik, one strike suppressed an ISIL mortar position.
*
Near Mosul, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and
destroyed two ISIL vehicles and three ISIL assembly areas.
Additionally, on May 13, one strike was not reported due to administrative error.
Iraq
* Near Albu Hayat, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) facility.
Strike assessments are based on initial reports. All aircraft returned to base safely.
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.
Ground-based
artillery fired in counter-fire or in fire support to maneuver roles
are not classified as a strike as defined by CJTF-OIR.
The
strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the
operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose
to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.
The
destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the group's
ability to project terror and conduct operations. Coalition nations
which have conducted strikes in Iraq include Australia, Belgium, Canada,
Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the
United States. Coalition nations which have conducted strikes in Syria
include Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands,
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the
United States.