February 03, 2017
Release # 20170203-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST ASIA — On Feb. 2, Coalition military forces conducted 41 strikes consisting of 64 engagements against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq.
Syria
In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 31 strikes consisting of 40 engagements using attack, bomber, and fighter aircraft as well as artillery against ISIL targets.
* Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed a vehicle, and an oil inlet manifold.
* Near Al Bab, four strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed two fighting positions; and damaged a command and control node.
* Near Al Shadaddi, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.
* Near Ar Raqqah, 21 strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units; destroyed 53 oil barrels, 39 oil storage tanks, four oil wellheads, four tunnel entrances, two tunnels, two vehicles, two UAVs, a fighting position and a tank; and damaged eight supply routes.
* Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed three oil well heads, and two oil tanker trucks.
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.
Iraq
Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 24 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft as well as artillery against ISIL targets.
* Near Kirkuk, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed a supply cache, and an ISIL-held building.
* Near Kisik, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed two vehicle, a supply cache, a fighting position, and a tunnel.
* Near Mosul, four strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed an artillery system, a checkpoint, and a bunker; and damaged three supply routes.
* Near Rawah, one strike destroyed two fuel storage tanks and a VBIED facility.
* Near Tal Afar, two strikes destroyed a vehicle, a tactical vehicle and a VBIED.
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.