# January 27: Military airstrikes continue against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq

/ Published Jan. 27, 2017
January 27, 2017Release #20170127-01FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**SOUTHWEST ASIA —**On Jan. 26, Coalition military forces conducted 23 strikes consisting of 42 engagements against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq.In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 18 engagements using attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft as well as against ISIL targets..       Near Abu Kamal, one strike destroyed an oil well head..       Near Ar Raqqah, nine strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed 10 oil refinement stills, five oil storage tanks, three oil pump jacks, an ISIL-held building, and two oil tanker trucks..       Near At Tanf, one strike damaged an ISIL supply route..       Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an oil pump jack.The Iraqi Security Forces are leading the Coalition's fight to rid Iraq of ISIL. They are willing to take the brunt of the fighting to liberate their country and do not seek or desire the Coalition's participation in direct ground combat operations. The Government of Iraq welcomes the Coalition because we are assisting them with our unique capabilities, at their request.Additionally in Iraq, Coalition military forces conducted 11 strikes consisting of 24 engagements coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq using attack, bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft as well as artillery against ISIL targets..       Near Al Huwayja, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit..       Near Haditha, two strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and destroyed three vehicles, a rocket system, and a VBIED..       Near Kisik, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a UAV launch site and an ISIL-held building..       Near Mosul, five strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units; destroyed two ISIL headquarters, two VBIED facilities, two barges, a fighting position, a tactical vehicle, a VBIED, and an anti-air artillery system; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit..       Near Sinjar, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle..       Near Tal Afar, one strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a command and control node and a UAV.Strike assessments are based on initial reports. All aircraft returned to base safely.A strike, as defined in the CJTF releases, means one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative effect for that location.So having a single aircraft deliver a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of buildings and vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making that facility (or facilities) harder or impossible to use.Accordingly, CJTF-OIR does not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. The information used to compile the daily strike releases is based on 'Z' or Greenwich Mean Time.Ground-based artillery fired in counter-fire or in fire support to maneuver roles are not classified as a strike as defined by CJTF-OIR.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 destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the group's ability to project terror and conduct operations. Coalition nations which have conducted strikes in Iraq include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Coalition nations which have conducted strikes in Syria include Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.