Airstrikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 17, 2014 – U.S. military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria yesterday and today using fighter aircraft to conduct seven airstrikes.

Separately, partner-nation military forces used fighter aircraft to conduct two airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq.

Six airstrikes took place near Kobani, where initial reports indicate they successfully struck three ISIL buildings, destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, suppressed three ISIL fighting positions and destroyed two ISIL vehicles.

One airstrike near Shadadi successfully struck ISIL oil collection equipment consisting of several “POL tanks” (petroleum, oil and lubricants) and a pump station, which represents part of the terrorist group’s oil producing, processing and transportation infrastructure. This strike was intended to destroy a portion of ISIL’s ability to operate oil tanker trucks at oil collection points. To conduct these strikes the U.S. employed fighter aircraft deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

In Iraq, partner-nation aircraft conducted one airstrike west of Bayji, where initial reports indicate they destroyed both an ISIL artillery piece and an ISIL ammunition storage area. Another partner-nation airstrike northeast of Bayji struck a small ISIL unit and damaged an ISIL vehicle. All aircraft departed the strike areas safely.

The U.S. strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the terrorist group ISIL and the threat they pose to Iraq, the region and the wider international community. The destruction and degradation of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group’s ability to lead, control, project power and conduct operations.