SOUTHWEST ASIA – Coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq between 8 a.m., April 16, and 8 a.m., April 17, local time. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted eight airstrikes using attack and bomber aircraft. Separately in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 13 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using fighter, attack and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.
“Air strikes were conducted yesterday throughout the breadth of Iraq and into Syria, as the coalition continues the fight against Daesh,” said CJTF-OIR Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley. “The steady, continuous pressure being applied by ground forces and coalition airstrikes is degrading Daesh and clearly inhibiting their operational freedom, span of control, military capacity and fighter morale.”
The following is a summary of the strikes conducted:
Syria
• Near Al Hasakah, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle.
• Near Kobani, six airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units, destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions, five ISIL vehicles and two ISIL motorcycles.
Iraq
• Near Al Asad, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL excavator.
• Near Bayji, five airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units, destroyed four ISIL vehicles, three ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Fallujah, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Hit, an airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Mosul, an airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit.
• Near Ramadi, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL excavator and an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Sinjar, an airstrike struck an ISIL fighting position and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Tal Afar, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL building.
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.
