January 28: Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq

Release No: 17-042 Jan. 28, 2017 PRINT | E-MAIL

January 28, 2017
Release # 20170128-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA — On Jan. 27, Coalition military forces conducted nine strikes consisting of 16 engagements against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of seven engagements using attack, bomber, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets.
Syria
* Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed four oil tanker trucks.
* Near Ar Raqqah, four strikes destroyed three oil pump jacks, an ISIL-held building, a tank and an oil inlet manifold, and damaged six supply routes.

The Iraqi Security Forces are leading the Coalition's fight to rid Iraq of ISIL. They are willing to take the brunt of the fighting to liberate their country and do not seek or desire the Coalition's participation in direct ground combat operations. The Government of Iraq welcomes the Coalition because we are assisting them with our unique capabilities, at their request.

Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of nine engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets.
Iraq
* Near Al Qaim, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL training camp, and destroyed four bunkers and a supply cache.
* Near Kisik, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a supply cache and a tunnel.
* Near Mosul, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a heavy machine gun; and damaged a supply route.

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.

CJTFOIR