CJTF-OIR, partner forces liberate additional Syrian villages
Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve continued supporting partner forces with precision air strikes and coordinated fires to degrade ISIS capabilities as well as building partner capability in the fight against ISIS in the Middle Euphrates River Valley, Syria, and Iraq, between Jan. 7 – 13, 2019.
In Syria, precision Coalition air strikes targeted and killed more than 200 ISIS fighters, including four senior ISIS commanders near Marashidah and As Susah. Additionally, our Syrian partners liberated the towns of Al Kashmah, Sirat Masoud, and As Shafah within the past two weeks. ISIS used Improvised Explosive Devices in an unsuccessful attempt to slow down the military advance.
In Iraq, Coalition and partner forces destroyed more than 730 IEDs discovered across Iraq. Additionally, coordinated airstrikes destroyed ten ISIS weapons caches, hiding places and one vehicle-borne IED.
In Ninewah province, a patrol from the 20th Iraqi Army Division came under fire from ISIS while conducting clearance operations in the Atashana Mountains. The Ninewah Operations Command and Coalition forces reacted with a coordinated strike to destroy three tunnels used by the fighters for hiding and storing supplies. Additionally, the Mosul Police Academy began a training class which includes 25 female police officers. This brings the total number of female police in Mosul to approximately 49; a capability that directly counters the ISIS tactic of using female couriers for missions.
In western Anbar, aircraft from the Anbar Operations Command received small arms fire during an aerial reconnaissance of suspected ISIS positions. The Iraqi Security Forces returned fire, resulting in the death of an estimated five ISIS fighters.
These efforts and strikes further degrade the capability of ISIS, preventing them from consolidating resources and conducting activities across Iraq.
United international efforts against ISIS will prevent its ability to recruit, train, equip, finance, plan, inspire and conduct violent extremists acts, regionally and globally. Coalition Force, comprised of 74 partner nations and five international organizations, are deployed in support of CJTF-OIR, working by, with and through partner forces to bring about the enduring defeat of ISIS.
