Airstrikes Hit #ISIL in #Syria and #Iraq

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 8, 2014 - U.S. and partner nation military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria yesterday and today, using bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct nine airstrikes, U.S. Central Command officials reported.

Separately, officials added, U.S. and partner nation military forces used fighter and remotely piloted aircraft yesterday and today to conduct five airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq.

In Syria, four airstrikes south of Kobani destroyed an ISIL armored personnel carrier, destroyed three ISIL armed vehicles and damaged a fourth, and destroyed an ISIL artillery piece. A fifth airstrike, southwest of Kobani, destroyed an ISIL armed vehicle; a sixth airstrike, at the southern edge of Kobani, destroyed an ISIL artillery piece. Two airstrikes northwest of Ar Raqqah successfully struck an active ISIL training camp and associated ISIL fighters. An airstrike northwest of Dayr az Zawr destroyed an ISIL tank. To conduct these strikes, the U.S. employed bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. In addition, the United Arab Emirates aircraft participated in these airstrikes. All aircraft exited the strike areas safely.

In Iraq, an airstrike east of Fallujah destroyed an ISIL checkpoint and an ISIL armed vehicle. An airstrike in western Ramadi destroyed three ISIL-held buildings and damaged two more, destroyed two ISIL anti-aircraft artillery pieces, and destroyed an ISIL unit. An airstrike northwest of Ramadi destroyed an ISIL checkpoint. An airstrike northeast of Sinjar Mountain destroyed an ISIL armed vehicle; another airstrike northeast of Sinjar against an ISIL vehicle was unsuccessful. To conduct these strikes, the U.S. employed fighter and remotely piloted aircraft deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. In addition, the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands aircraft participated in these airstrikes. All aircraft exited the strike areas safely.

The strikes were conducted as part of the president's comprehensive strategy to degrade and destroy ISIL. The destruction of targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to lead, control, project power and conduct operations.