July 15: Military Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria and Iraq

July 15, 2015

Release # 20150715

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA – On July 14, Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 16 airstrikes using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft. Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 17 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, fighter-attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets.

“In the past 48 hours, coalition airstrikes hit five Vehicle-Borne IEDs and a factory producing these weapons in Ramadi,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Gilleran, CJTF-OIR spokesman. “Removing these weapons from the battlefield is a high priority for the coalition. VBIEDs pose a threat to the ISF and the citizens in the areas where Daesh employs them.”

The following is a summary of the strikes conducted against ISIL since the last press release:

Syria

-- Near Al Hasakah, six airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit and five ISIL tactical units destroying two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL bunker, an ISIL tunnel entrance, an ISIL VBIED, an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery weapon, an ISIL artillery piece and two ISIL checkpoints.

-- Near Aleppo, six airstrikes struck 27 ISIL staging areas.

-- Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Kobani, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Tal Abyad, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.

Iraq

-- Near Al Huwayjah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

-- Near Fallujah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit destroying an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery weapon and an ISIL mortar.

-- Near Kirkuk, four airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, an ISIL tactical unit, and seven ISIL staging areas and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions.

-- Near Mosul, five airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and suppressed ISIL mortar fire destroying an ISIL heavy machine gun, two ISIL buildings and an ISIL vehicle.

-- Near Ramadi, three airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit destroying an ISIL VBIED, four ISIL vehicles and five ISIL fighting positions.

-- Near Tal Afar, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and an ISIL heavy machine gun and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.

Airstrike assessments are based on initial reports. All aircraft returned to base safely.

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 airstrikes in Iraq include Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States. Coalition nations which have conducted airstrikes in Syria include Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the U.S.