ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — As Syrian and Iraqi forces push against the Islamic State (ISIS) on multiple fronts, the US-led coalition report continued air support against the group by deploying a variety of jets and destroying weapons and tactical facilities. “In Syria, coalition military forces conducted nine strikes using bomber, attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets,” reported the Central Command late Friday. “Additionally in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using ground-attack, attack, and fighter aircraft against ISIL targets,” read the report. According to Centcom, nine air strikes were carried out in two different areas of Syria against ISIS positions, mostly in support of advancing Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on the town of Manbij. “Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an ISIL oil pump jack,” said the report. “Near Manbij, eight strikes struck eight separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 11 ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL vehicle.” More air strikes were conducted in Iraq in support of the army and Kurdish forces which according to the report destroyed many ISIS staging areas as well as car bombs. “Near Fallujah, two strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 16 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, two ISIL rocket propelled grenade systems, an ISIL recoilless rifle, three ISIL light machine guns, four ISIL heavy machine guns, and an ISIL mortar system and denied ISIL access to terrain.” Centcom reported. Coalition jets have been supporting Iraqi troops and Shiite militia forces in their ongoing offensive against ISIS in Fallujah that has been under the group’s control for more than two years. The strikes extended to areas such as Habbaniyah, Mosul, Qayyarah, Sinjar (Shingal) and Sultan Abdullah. The targets included ISIS fighting positions, mortar system, bunkers, staging areas, and vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). “The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community,” the public relations office said. It added: “The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the group's ability to project terror and conduct operations.”
