February 13: Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq

February 13, 2017
Release # 20170213-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA — On Feb. 12, Coalition military forces conducted 17 strikes consisting of 37 engagements against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

Syria
In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes consisting of 15 engagements using attack, bomber, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets.

* Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed 27 oil barrels, 11 oil storage tanks and two oil tanker trucks.

* Near Ar Raqqah, 13 strikes engaged eight ISIL tactical units; destroyed eight fighting positions and a vehicle; and damaged four supply routes.

* Near Palmyra, one strike destroyed an anti-air artillery system.

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 two strikes consisting of 22 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, fighter, and rotary aircraft; as well as artillery against ISIL targets.

* Near Mosul, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and a staging area; destroyed eight watercraft, three barges, three vehicles, a tunnel entrance, a mortar system, and a weapons facility; and suppressed four mortar teams.

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.

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.