US Military Conduct Airstrikes on ISIS in Iraq, Syria

With air operations continuing during Operation Inherent Resolve, the United States and other coalition military air forces pounded the Islamic State of Syria Saturday, conducting 32 air strikes consisting of 39 engagements, US military officials reported. The coalition also hit ISIS in Iraq with four strikes consisting of nine engagements.

These strikes were conducted as part of the coalition’s operation to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The destruction of ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria also further limits the group’s ability to project terror and conduct external operations throughout the region and the rest of the world, officials said.

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 28 strikes consisting of 30 engagements against ISIS targets:

— Near Abu Kamal, three strikes destroyed three ISIS wellheads, two oil storage tanks and a pumpjack.

— Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed eight ISIS wellheads, a excavator, a crane and a vehicle.

— Near Raqqa, 23 strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units and destroyed 19 fighting positions, five ISIS-held buildings, three improvised explosive device factories, an ISIS communications tower and a unmanned aerial system launch site.

— Near Shadaddi, a strike destroyed three IED factories.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of nine engagements against ISIS targets:

— Near Qaim, a strike destroyed an ISIS vehicle.

— Near Rawah, a strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

— Near Tal Afar, two strikes destroyed five ISIS tunnel entrances and a mortar system.

Aug. 4 Strikes

Additionally, 15 strikes consisting of 17 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Aug. 3 that closed within the last 24 hours.

— Near Raqqa, Syria, 11 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, a staging area and a tunnel.

— Near Shadaddi, Syria, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a command-and-control node.

— Near Mosul, Iraq, a strike illuminated an area.

— Near Rawah, Iraq, a strike suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

— Near Tal Afar, Iraq, a strike destroyed three IEDs.

With the coalition air attacks, the plan is to keep the Islamic State on the run and not give them a moment’s respite. After large setbacks at Mosul in Iraq and outside Raqqa in Syria, the force has been weakened but has not been knocked out. These air attacks, targeting command and control and staging areas, keep the ISIS fighters from resupplying their troops easily as well as interfering with communications.

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Photo courtesy: DOD