Airstrikes continue to hinder ISIL terrorists in Syria, Iraq

This week, coalition military forces continued to attack ISIL insurgents in Syria and Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, which is the name of the ongoing military operation that is part of an international effort to hit ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq in order to limit the group's capabilities, with coalition nations that include Australia, Canada, France, Jordan, Netherlands, the U.K., the U.S., Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

In Syria this week, coalition military forces hit five targets using fighters, bombers and drones. Separately, in Iraq, another 20 strikes were coordinated with the government of Iraq using bombers, fighters, fighter-attack and ground-attack aircraft against ISIL targets.

In Syria, strikes hit two ISIL tactical units, five tactical vehicles and a building. Another airstrike hit two pieces of construction equipment in the ancient city of Palmyra, which hinders the terrorist group’s ability to destroy priceless pre-Islam archaeological and historical sites that ISIL fighters consider sacrilegious.

Forces flying in Iraq made a major dent in ISIL material and positions over their 20 missions. Strikes against ISIL ground forces included attacks on six various tactical units, one of which was comprised of a large force of fighters. Mortar positions, machine guns, fighting positions and staging areas were hit by coalition strikes.

ISIL fighters also lost a large amount of material from the strikes, including rocket rails, vehicles, construction equipment, a storage facility and a cache of homemade explosives.

All coalition aircraft involved in the strikes returned to base safely.