January 29: Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq

January 29, 2017
Release # 20170129-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA — On Jan. 28, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes consisting of 29 engagements against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes consisting of 24 engagements using attack, bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.
Syria
* Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed an oil truck and two oil well heads.
* Near Al Bab, one strike destroyed an ISIL headquarters building and a bunker.
* Near Ar Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed seven bridges, an ISIL headquarters building, and a fighting position; and damaged a supply route.

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 two strikes consisting of five engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets.
Iraq
* Near Mosul, two strikes destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery system, a fighting position, and two barges; suppressed two mortar teams; and damaged three supply routes.

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.