Britain is at war: RAF Tornados are in the air over Iraq with orders to strike ISIS - and SAS are on the ground to guide in the bombs

[superbeets]

[h=3]U.S., Allied Airstrikes Hit ISIL in Syria and Iraq[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 2, 2014 – U.S. and partner-nation military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria yesterday and today using a mix of fighter, attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct four airstrikes.
Separately, U.S. military and partner-nation forces used a mix of fighter, attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft yesterday and today to conduct seven airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq.
Anti-ISIL airstrikes in Syria
In Syria, one strike near Kobani destroyed an ISIL checkpoint. Another strike in Syria, north of Sinjar Mountain, damaged an ISIL tank. One airstrike west of Raqqah destroyed an ISIL tank, while one strike east of Aleppo struck multiple ISIL facilities. To conduct these strikes, the U.S. employed U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy aircraft deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. In addition, the United Arab Emirates also participated in these strikes. All aircraft exited the strike areas safely.
Anti-ISIL airstrikes in Iraq
In Iraq, one strike northwest of Baghdad destroyed two ISIL armed vehicles and two other ISIL vehicles. Two strikes northwest of Mosul destroyed an ISIL Humvee and damaged two others, destroyed three armed vehicles and damaged another, damaged another vehicle and damaged an ISIL building. One strike east of Fallujah destroyed an ISIL vehicle. Two strikes west of Ramadi damaged an ISIL building and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, while one strike northeast of Sinjar destroyed an ISIL vehicle. To conduct these strikes, the U.S. employed U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy aircraft deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. In addition, the United Kingdom also participated in these airstrikes. All aircraft departed the strike areas safely.
The U.S. strikes were conducted as part of the president's comprehensive strategy to degrade and destroy ISIL. The destruction and degradation of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to lead, control, project power and conduct operations.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Airstrikes Hit ISIL in Syria and Iraq[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 3, 2014 – U.S. and partner-nation military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria yesterday and today using a mix of fighter and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct six airstrikes.
Separately, U.S. military forces used attack aircraft today to conduct three airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq.
In Syria, one strike south of Al Hasakah destroyed an ISIL garrison, while one strike southeast of Dayr Az Zawr destroyed two ISIL tanks. Two strikes north of Ar Raqqah struck two modular oil refineries and an ISIL training camp, while another strike northeast of Aleppo struck an ISIL occupied building. One strike against an ISIL artillery piece west of Ar Raqqah was not successful. To conduct these strikes, the U.S. employed U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy aircraft deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. In addition, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also participated in the Syria strikes. All aircraft departed the strike areas safely.
In Iraq, one strike north of Sinjar destroyed two ISIL armed vehicles, while two strikes northeast of Fallujah struck ISIL fighters. To conduct these strikes, the U.S. employed U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy aircraft deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. All aircraft departed the strike areas safely.
The U.S. strikes were conducted as part of the president's comprehensive strategy to degrade and destroy ISIL. The destruction and degradation of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to lead, control, project power and conduct operations.

 

[festeringZit]

It warms the cockles of my heart every time I hear of a bomb dropping on these cock-roaches.

 

[superbeets]

It warms the cockles of my heart every time I hear of a bomb dropping on these cock-roaches.

me too

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]U.S. Military Conducts Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria and Iraq[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release
WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2014 – U.S. military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in Syria yesterday and today, using fighter aircraft to conduct three airstrikes.
Separately, in Iraq U.S. military forces used helicopters and attack, bomber, and fighter aircraft to conduct six airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq.
In Syria, one strike northwest of Al Mayadin destroyed an ISIL bulldozer, two ISIL tanks and destroyed another ISIL vehicle. Two strikes northwest of Ar Raqqah struck a large ISIL unit and destroyed six ISIL firing positions. To conduct these strikes, the U.S. employed fighter aircraft deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. All aircraft departed the strike areas safely.
In Iraq, four strikes northeast of Fallujah struck two mortar teams, a large ISIL unit and two small ISIL units. One strike southeast of Hit destroyed two ISIL Humvees. One strike northeast of Sinjar destroyed an ISIL Humvee. To conduct these strikes, the U.S. employed helicopters and attack, bomber, fighter aircraft deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. All aircraft departed the strike areas safely.
The U.S. strikes were conducted as part of President Barack Obama's comprehensive strategy to degrade and destroy ISIL. The destruction and degradation of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to lead, control, project power and conduct operations.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]U.S., Partner Nations Strike ISIL in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 6, 2014 – U.S. and partner nations' military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria yesterday and today, using fighter and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct three airstrikes, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
Separately, officials added, U.S. military forces used remotely piloted and rotary-wing aircraft to conduct three airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq.
In Syria, one strike destroyed an ISIL tank near Taqba Airfield west of Raqqah, one destroyed two ISIL fighting positions south of Kobani, and another southeast of Dayr az Zawr destroyed an ISIL tank. All aircraft left the strike areas safely, officials said.
In Iraq, two strikes northeast of Fallujah struck two small ISIL units and destroyed two mortar placements and a bunker. An airstrike west of Ramadi damaged an ISIL-held building. Belgium and the United Kingdom participated in these airstrikes, Centcom officials said, and all aircraft left the strike areas safely.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Airstrikes Pound ISIL in Syria, Iraq[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 7, 2014 – U.S. and partner-nation military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria yesterday and today, using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct nine airstrikes, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
Separately, officials added, U.S. military forces used attack and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct four airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq.
In Syria, two airstrikes west of Hasakah successfully struck multiple ISIL buildings, including an air observation building and staging areas, officials said, and another airstrike northeast of Dayr az Zawr successfully struck an ISIL staging area and an IED production facility.
An airstrike south of Kobani destroyed three ISIL armed vehicles and damaged another, and another strike southeast of Kobani destroyed an ISIL armed vehicle carrying anti-aircraft artillery. Two airstrikes southwest of Kobani damaged an ISIL tank, and another strike south of Kobani destroyed an ISIL unit.
In addition, an airstrike southwest of Rabiyah struck a small group of ISIL fighters.
U.S. forces employed Air Force attack, fighter and bomber aircraft deployed to the Centcom area of operations. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also participated in these airstrikes, Centcom officials said, and all aircraft safely left the strike areas.
In Iraq, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL armed vehicle firing on Kurdish Peshmerga forces northeast of Sinjar. Three more airstrikes northeast of Sinjar destroyed three ISIL armed vehicles and struck a small group of ISIL fighters.
To conduct these strikes, U.S. forces employed Air Force attack and remotely piloted aircraft deployed to the Centcom area of operations, officials said. Belgium also participated in these airstrikes, officials added, and all aircraft left the strike areas safely.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Airstrikes Hit ISIL in Syria and Iraq[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release
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.

 

[ScottL]

Why Turkey Is Hesitating to Prevent Fall of Kobane

As the Islamic State's three-week assault on the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobane appeared to enter its endgame, its last hope likely hinges on Turkey, which is resisting mounting pressure from its own Kurdish minority to assist Kobane's defenders. "Kobane is about to fall," President Erdogan told Turkish television on Tuesday.

Turkey remains wary of the Kurdish-nationalist militias defending the besieged town. The Democratic Union Party (PYD), that has run Syria's Kurdish-populated region since the Assad regime withdrew in 2012, has close links to the PKK, the Kurdish rebel group that fought a 30-year insurgency against Turkey and is regarded by Ankara as a terrorist group. "Turkey is more than happy that the semi-autonomy declared by Syria's Kurds is being demolished by the so-called Islamic State," says Cengiz Aktar, a political scientist at Istanbul's Suleyman Sah University. (Christian Science Monitor)

 

[ScottL]

Report: Turkey Traded 180 Jihadists for 49 Turkish Hostages (Hurriyet-Turkey)
Turkey handed over some 180 jihadists, including two British citizens, to the Islamic State in return for the release of 49 hostages abducted from Turkey's consulate in Mosul, Iraq, the London Times reported Monday.

 

[superbeets]

Report: Turkey Traded 180 Jihadists for 49 Turkish Hostages (Hurriyet-Turkey)
Turkey handed over some 180 jihadists, including two British citizens, to the Islamic State in return for the release of 49 hostages abducted from Turkey's consulate in Mosul, Iraq, the London Times reported Monday.

Kick them out of NATO

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]U.S. Military Conducts Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria and Iraq[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2014 – U.S. military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists today, using bomber and attack aircraft to conduct a total of eleven airstrikes in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, six airstrikes south of Kobani destroyed two ISIL-held buildings, one ISIL tank and one ISIL heavy machine gun and damaged an ISIL fighting position. These strikes also struck one large and two small ISIL units. In addition, three airstrikes north of Kobani struck two small ISIL units and destroyed two ISIL-held buildings. These strikes were conducted by U.S. bomber aircraft deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. All aircraft exited the strike areas safely. In Iraq, an airstrike south of Sinjar destroyed an ISIL bunker and ammunition cache and a small ISIL unit. Another airstrike, south of Sinjar Mountain, destroyed an ISIL armed vehicle and a small ISIL unit. To conduct these strikes, the U.S. employed attack aircraft deployed to the Centcom area of operations. All aircraft exited the strike areas safely. The strikes were conducted as part of President Barack Obama'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.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Airstrikes Target ISIL in Syria and Iraq[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2014 – U.S. military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria yesterday and today using attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct nine airstrikes, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
In addition, U.S. military forces used fighter aircraft to conduct one airstrike against ISIL in Iraq, officials added.
In Syria, two airstrikes southeast of Kobani destroyed two ISIL training facilities, while four strikes south of Kobani destroyed two ISIL vehicles, struck two small ISIL units and damaged an ISIL tank. One airstrike northeast of Kobani destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
An airstrike east of Dayr az Zawr destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle staging facility. One airstrike northeast of Al Hasakah struck a small ISIL unit.
To conduct these strikes, the U.S. employed U.S. attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft deployed to the Centcom area of operations. In addition, United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aircraft participated in these airstrikes. All aircraft exited the strike areas safely.
In Iraq, one airstrike northwest of Baghdad struck a small ISIL unit and destroyed an ISIL building.
To conduct this strike, the U.S. employed fighter aircraft deployed to the Centcom area of operations. All aircraft exited the strike areas safely.
The strikes were conducted as part of President Barack Obama’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.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]U.S. Military, Partners Continue Airstrikes Against ISIL[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 12, 2014 – U.S. and partner-nation military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria yesterday and today, using bomber and fighter aircraft to conduct four airstrikes, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
Separately, officials added, U.S. and partner-nation military forces used attack and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct five airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq.
In Syria, an airstrike northwest of Raqqah destroyed an ISIL-held armored vehicle compound. Three airstrikes in Kobani destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL staging area. To conduct these strikes, the U.S. military used bomber and fighter aircraft deployed to the Centcom area of operations. Fighter aircraft from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also participated in these airstrikes, Centcom officials said.
In Iraq, an airstrike southwest of Hit destroyed an ISIL armed vehicle, and another airstrike southeast of Hit destroyed an ISIL armored personnel carrier. An airstrike on an ISIL checkpoint southwest of Kirkuk struck a small ISIL unit, and another strike south of Kirkuk struck a small ISIL unit. An airstrike northwest of Ramadi destroyed an ISIL armored personnel carrier.
To conduct these strikes, the U.S. military used attack and remotely piloted aircraft deployed to the Centcom area of operations. The United Kingdom also participated in these airstrikes, Centcom officials said.
All aircraft exited the strike areas in Syria and Iraq safely, officials added.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]U.S., Saudi Arabia Conduct Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 13, 2014 – U.S. and Saudi Arabian military forces conducted eight airstrikes on Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets in Syria yesterday and today, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
Four airstrikes southwest of Kobani struck a large ISIL unit and a small ISIL unit, damaged an ISIL staging location and destroyed an ISIL heavy-machine-gun firing position. Three airstrikes northeast of Kobani struck a small ISIL unit, damaged two ISIL buildings and destroyed an ISIL staging location and three ISIL buildings. An airstrike northwest of Raqqah struck an ISIL garrison, officials said.
To conduct these strikes, U.S. forces used bomber and fighter aircraft deployed to the Centcom area of operations, and Saudi Arabian forces used fighter aircraft, Centcom officials said.
All aircraft exited the strike areas safely, officials added.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]U.S., Partners Continue Airstrikes Against ISIL[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 14, 2014 – U.S. and partner-nation military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria yesterday and today, using bomber and fighter aircraft to conduct 22 airstrikes, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
Separately, Centcom officials said, U.S. military forces used attack aircraft yesterday to conduct an airstrike against ISIL in Iraq.
In Syria, 21 airstrikes near Kobani destroyed two ISIL staging locations and damaged another, destroyed one ISIL building and damaged two others, damaged three ISIL compounds, destroyed one ISIL truck, destroyed one ISIL armed vehicle and one other ISIL vehicle, officials said.
As part of these strikes, an additional seven ISIL staging areas, two ISIL mortar positions, three ISIL occupied buildings and an ISIL artillery storage facility were struck. A strike near Dayr az Zawr struck a modular oil refinery. Initial indications are that these strikes were successful, officials said.
These airstrikes are designed to interdict ISIL reinforcements and resupply and prevent ISIL from massing combat power on the Kurdish held portions of Kobani, officials explained.
Saudi Arabia also participated
To conduct these strikes, U.S. forces used fighter and bomber aircraft deployed to the Centcom area of operations. In addition, officials said, fighter aircraft from Saudi Arabia participated in these airstrikes.
Centcom continues to closely monitor the situation in Kobani, officials said, and indications are that airstrikes have slowed ISIL advances. But the security situation on the ground there remains fluid, they added, with ISIL attempting to gain territory and Kurdish militia continuing to hold out.
In Iraq, one strike southwest of Kirkuk destroyed an ISIL armed vehicle and another ISIL vehicle.
All aircraft departed the strike areas safely, Centcom officials said.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL Targets in Iraq, Syria[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 15, 2014 – U.S. military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists yesterday and today, conducting five airstrikes in Iraq and 18 airstrikes in Syria, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
In Iraq, an airstrike near Haditha Dam destroyed an ISIL armed vehicle and an ISIL guard shack. Four airstrikes near Bayji destroyed an ISIL building, an ISIL Humvee, and an ISIL machine gun, and damaged an ISIL artillery piece.
To conduct these strikes, U.S. forces used attack and fighter aircraft deployed to the Centcom area of operations, officials said.
In Syria, U.S. bomber and fighter aircraft deployed to the Centcom area of operations conducted 18 airstrikes near Kobani. The strikes destroyed multiple ISIL fighting positions, officials said, and successfully struck 16 ISIL-occupied buildings.
All aircraft departed the strike areas in Iraq and Syria safely, officials added.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Inherent Resolve Airstrikes Continue in Syria[/h]From a U.S. Central Command News Release
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 16, 2014 – U.S. military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria yesterday and today, using bomber and fighter aircraft deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations to conduct 14 airstrikes, Centcom officials reported.
All 14 airstrikes took place near Kobani. Initial reports indicate the strikes successfully struck 19 ISIL buildings, two ISIL command posts, three ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL sniper positions, one ISIL staging location, and one ISIL heavy machine gun, Centcom officials said, adding that all aircraft departed the strike areas safely.
Interdicting reinforcement and resupply
These airstrikes are designed to interdict ISIL reinforcements and resupply and prevent ISIL from massing combat power on the Kurdish-held portions of Kobani, officials explained. Indications are that airstrikes have continued to slow ISIL advances, they added, but they acknowledged that that the security situation in Kobani remains tenuous.
The U.S. strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate ISIL and the threat the terrorist group poses to Iraq, the region and the wider international community, officials said.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]ISIL Forces Concentrating Around Kobani, Official Says[/h]By Claudette Roulo
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2014 – While the Syrian border town of Kobani is itself not a strategic location, the number of airstrikes in the area has increased due to the concentration of terrorists there from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the Pentagon press secretary said today.
“ISIL has made no secret of the fact that they want that town,” he said, “...And so they have continued to flow fighters to Kobani, meaning there are more targets in and around Kobani,” Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters.
With much of the civilian population of the Kurdish town having fled, coalition forces have been able to increase the number of airstrikes, he explained.
“We believe that the great majority of the population of that town has evacuated and left, and we -- it ranges every day, but it's in the realm of the hundreds or so of people left there,” Kirby said.
Battle damage assessments indicate that coalition airstrikes have killed several hundred ISIL fighters in and around Kobani, he said.
Weather has been a secondary factor contributing to the increased concentration of coalition forces on Syria, the admiral said.
“The weather in central Iraq has not been overly conducive to air operations,” Kirby said. Rather than waiting out the weather, Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, the U.S. Central Command commander, has allocated additional assets to the fight in and around Kobani, the admiral said.
“I would also say -- and I think it's important for people to understand -- Kobani could still fall. It could very well still fall,” Kirby noted.
While the coalition airstrikes have made it more difficult for ISIL to sustain itself and to operate, he said, the situation on the ground remains fluid.
“We do know that the Kurdish militias there are fighting hard to keep the town and that we do believe that our airstrikes have helped them in that, that ISIL still threatens Kobani, but that they're holding it,” Kirby said.

 

[superbeets]

[h=3]Anti-ISIL Strategy Working, Needs Patience, Austin Says[/h]By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
FORT MEADE, Md., Oct. 17, 2014 – The strategy against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is working, but degrading and destroying the terror group will require “strategic patience,” Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III said today.
Austin, the commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters at the Pentagon that Iraq remains the focus of operations for his command and the airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq are having an effect.
“The things that we’re doing right now in Syria are being done primarily to shape the conditions in Iraq,” Austin said. “Once the Iraqis are able to get a better handle on the situation inside of their country and regain control of their border, that will help to localize the problems a bit more.”
Airstrikes having effect
The airstrikes are having a decided effect on ISIL, the general said, but they’re just one part of the total U.S. whole-of-government effort in the region.
“We are enabling the efforts of the Iraqis in their fight against ISIL, acknowledging that, in addition to halting ISIL’s advance, the Iraqis must secure the border,” he said. “They must regenerate and restructure their forces to ensure that they are able to provide for the sovereignty of their country going forward. And this represents our main focus right now -- enabling the efforts of the Iraqis.”
The airstrikes are targeting specific ISIL capabilities, Austin said. The strikes focus on ISIL command and control capabilities, the terror group’s ability to project combat power, and sustainment capabilities. The coalition is very careful to not cause civilian casualties in the attacks.
“Had we killed a lot of innocent civilians, and specifically in Sunni areas, I think that it is fair to say that we would be in a much different place at this point,” the general said. “But because we’ve done this the right way, we’ve secured the support of our Sunni Arab partners in the region. And together, we are making progress.”
The strikes have taken out ISIL's communications equipment and their command centers, Austin said. Airpower has also hit vehicle parks, taking out enemy tanks, artillery, and armored personnel carriers.
Eliminating oil financing
The strikes also hit the underpinning of ISIL financial power, taking out oil refineries under ISIL control, the general said.
“By striking these types of facilities, we reduce their ability to generate the funds and the fuel required to sustain their operations,” Austin said. “And we are having the desired effects.”
Centcom believes the strikes are having an effect not only via battle damage assessments, but by changes in the enemy’s behavior and tactics, he said.
“We’re no longer seeing them move around the country in large convoys,” the general said. “Now they’re mostly traveling in civilian vehicles in smaller numbers. This is hindering their ability to mass and to shift combat power.”
ISIL also altered methods of communication, he said, which is inhibiting the terror group’s ability to coordinate and synchronize efforts.
Airstrikes will continue to degrade ISIL and Iraqi forces will continue to gain strength and cohesion, Austin said.
“We must remain focused and disciplined in our approach,” he said. “Most important, we must maintain strategic patience going forward. The campaign to destroy ISIL will take time and there will be occasional setbacks along the way, and particularly in these early stages of the campaign as we coach and mentor a force that is actively working to regenerate capability after years of neglect and poor leadership.”
The United States is in this effort for the long haul, the general said.
“We intend to defeat and ultimately destroy ISIL,” Austin said. “Even more important, we want to change conditions inside of Iraq and Syria so that what we see happening there now does not happen again in the future.”