March 16: Military Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria and Iraq

March 16, 2015

Release # 20150316
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHWEST ASIA – On March 15, U.S. military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria, using fighter, attack and bomber aircraft to conduct five airstrikes. Separately, U.S. and Coalition military forces conducted 12 airstrikes in Iraq, using attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists. All strikes took place between 8 a.m., March 15, and 8 a.m., March 16, local time.

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

Syria

Near Al Hasakah, three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL excavator and destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL machine gun.

Near Kobani, two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.

Iraq

Near Al Hawayjah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL weapons cache.

Near Fallujah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Near Haditha two airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.

Near Hit in Al Anbar Province, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

Near Mosul, two airstrikes struck an ISIL IED factory and destroyed two ISIL excavators, three ISIL vehicles and an ISIL bull dozer.

Near Ramadi, two airstrikes struck an ISIL large tactical unit, an ISIL building, an ISIL sniper and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL excavator and an ISIL front end loader.

Near Rawah, three airstrikes struck two ISIL excavators and destroyed an ISIL front end loader and an ISIL excavator.

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, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations. Coalition nations which have conducted airstrikes in Iraq include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, Netherlands, United Kingdom and U.S. Coalition nations which have conducted airstrikes in Syria include Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and U.S.