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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.

To read the entire article from The Department of Defense, click here:

Photo courtesy: DOD

Israel’s Air Force Bombs Targets in Syria

Israeli Air Force jets pounded targets in Syria which resulted in the Syrian air defense systems launching multiple ground-to-air missiles at the jets in retaliation. One of the rockets was intercepted.

The two countries have been technically at war since the 2011 Syrian civil war against Bashar Al-Assad’s government began. But the bombing of yesterday is regarded as the most serious escalation of the conflict yet in the region.

Israeli authorities claim that their Arrow missile defense systems intercepted one of the rockets fired at the Israeli jets. Syrian military authorities claim to have shot down one of the jets, but the Israeli Air Force said that they suffered no losses in the air strike.

Syria’s army high command confirmed in a statement on Friday that Israeli jets breached Syrian airspace early in the morning and attacked a military target near Palmyra.

The high command described the attack as an act of aggression that aided the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, which is fighting against the Syrian government.

It said its air defences shot down one of four Israeli jets over what it called “occupied ground” and damaged another.

There were no reports by the Israeli army of any aircraft lost in the operation.

Jordanian new media said an “unidentified object” fell from the skies on Thursday night in the northern area of Irbid, after which security forces surrounded the area of impact.

Pictures shared on social media showed what appeared to be part of a missile that had landed in a yard.

The air strikes were reportedly targeting arms convoys of the known terror group Hezbollah who fought the Israelis in Lebanon in 2016 and is supporting the Assad regime in this conflict. The missile launches prompted the Israelis to set off air raid sirens in the Jordan Valley. Witnesses claimed to have heard an explosion, which may have been the rocket being intercepted.

To read the entire article from Al Jazeera, click here:

Photo courtesy Israeli Air Force