February 5: Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq

Release No: 17-055 Feb. 5, 2017 PRINT | E-MAIL

February 05, 2017
Release # 20170205-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA — On Feb. 4, Coalition military forces conducted 32 strikes consisting of 63 engagements against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

Syria

In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes consisting of 25 engagements using attack, bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.
* Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIL tanker truck, two oil stills and three oil storage tanks.
* Near Raqqah, 15 strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units; destroyed 11 oil tanker trucks, three oil storage tanks, three tunnels, two fighting positions, two oil pump jacks, a vehicle, and a command and control node; and damaged three supply routes.
* Near Ayn Isa, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.
* Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed an ISIL pump jack and an oil well head.
* Near Idlib, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.
* Near Palmyra, one strike destroyed an ISIL tank.

Iraq

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 11 strikes consisting of 38 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 Al Qaim, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.
* Near Bayji, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.
* Near Haditha, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.
* Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed an IED factory.
* Near Kirkuk, one strike destroyed an ISIL VBIED.
* Near Mosul, five strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed three watercraft, a VBIEDs, a barge, a vehicle, a UAS, and an artillery system; and damaged 18 supply routes.
* Near Rawah, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle and a mortar system

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 engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative effect for that location.
For example, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of ISIL-held buildings and weapon systems in a compound, having the cumulative effect of making that facility harder or impossible to use. An engagement is defined as one weapon system delivering one type of munition.
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