SOUTHWEST ASIA–(ENEWSPF)—February 4, 2017. On Feb. 3, Coalition military forces conducted 38 strikes consisting of 63 engagements against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 31 strikes consisting of 45 engagements using attack, bomber, and fighter aircraft as well as artillery against ISIL targets.
Syria
- Near Abu Kamal, seven strikes destroyed 14 oil wellheads and two oil refinement stills.
- Near Al Bab, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed two tactical vehicles, two heavy machine guns, and two fighting positions; and damaged a command and control node.
- Near Raqqah, 20 strikes engaged four ISIL tactical units; destroyed 11 oil tanker trucks, six oil barrels, three oil refinement stills, two fighting positions, two tunnels, two vehicles, an ISIL headquarters, an oil storage tank and a command and control node; and damaged 16 supply routes.
- Near Idlib, one strike destroyed a fighting position.
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 7 strikes consisting of 18 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft as well as artillery against ISIL targets.
Iraq
- Near Al Huwayjah, one strike destroyed an IED factory.
- Near Erbil, one strike destroyed a front-end loader and a dump truck.
- Near Mosul, five strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed eight watercraft, three VBIEDs, two barges, a vehicle, and an artillery system; and damaged three supply routes; and suppressed a mortar team.
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.
Source: www.inherentresolve.mil
