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Press Release | Jan. 22, 2017

January 22: Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq

CJTFOIR

January 22, 2017
Release # 2017022-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA — On Jan. 21, Coalition military forces conducted 31 strikes consisting of 55 engagements against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 25 strikes consisting of 39 engagements using attack, bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets. Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of 16 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

Syria
*       Near Al Bab, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed an artillery piece, and damaged a tactical vehicle.
*       Near Ar Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 12 ISIL tactical units; destroyed nine fighting positions, two tunnels, two tanks, an IED factory, and an ISIL headquarters; and suppressed three ISIL tactical units.
*       Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed two oil well heads.

Iraq
*       Near Ar Rutbah, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a tactical vehicle, two weapons caches, and a mortar.
*       Near Bayji, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.
*       Near Kisik, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and an ISIL-held building.
*       Near Mosul, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed a VBIED factory, a VBIED, a tank, three fighting positions, and a vehicle; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.
*       Near Tal Afar, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a semi-truck and a command and control node.

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. The information used to compile the daily strike releases is based on 'Z' or Greenwich Mean Time.
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, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.