I received the following email update on the war against ISIL from U.S. Central Command, which surprised me a bit. In one day the US and its coalition partners conducted 10 targeted airstrikes against ISIL using a combination of attack and fighter aircraft in just a two day period! Wow! For those who doubt the intensity of our air campaign can’t argue that we are not doing serious damage to the terrorists:
“TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 5, 2014 – U.S. military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria Nov. 3 through today, using attack and fighter aircraft to conduct four airstrikes, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
Separately, officials said, U.S. and partner-nation military forces conducted 10 airstrikes in Iraq over that period using fighter, attack and remotely-piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.
Airstrike Details
In Syria, three airstrikes near Kobani struck a small ISIL unit, two ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL dump truck used in construction of fighting positions. An airstrike north of Sinjar destroyed an ISIL fighting position used to launch mortar attacks and struck a small ISIL unit manning the position, and two additional strikes north of Sinjar struck a small ISIL unit and destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle.
In Iraq, an airstrike near Mosul destroyed ISIL-occupied buildings, including one housing a generator used for oil production and another used to manufacture explosive devices. Three airstrikes near Bayji struck two small ISIL units, destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL-occupied bunker and an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery piece.
Also in Iraq, an airstrike near Fallujah struck a small ISIL unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle. Three airstrikes near Ramadi damaged an ISIL vehicle and destroyed an ISIL checkpoint.
All aircraft left the strike areas safely, officials said, noting that airstrike assessments are based on initial reports.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the terrorist group ISIL and the threat they pose to Iraq, the region and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group’s ability to project power and conduct operations, Centcom officials said.
Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.”
Note: Unconfirmed reports from inside Syria suggest that hundreds of ISIL fighters were killed or wounded in the 10 airstrikes between November 3-5, 2014. We, of course have no real way to confirm that information at this time.