Coalition forces continued to attack Islamic State, conducting seven strikes consisting of eight engagements officials reported today.
Officials reported details of yesterday’s strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. The following is a list we received of those strikes.
Strikes in Syria
In Syria, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of three engagements against IS targets near Abu Kamal yesterday. The strikes engaged a tactical unit and destroyed two vehicle-borne-bomb factories and an IS headquarters.
Officials also provided details today about three strikes consisting of three engagements conducted Oct. 16 near Raqqa for which the information was not available in time for yesterday’s report. The strikes suppressed three communication lines.
Strikes in Iraq
In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of five engagements yesterday against targets:
— Near Qaim, two strikes destroyed three vehicle-borne-bomb factories, an IS-held building and a munition production and storage facility.
— Near Beiji, two strikes destroyed a vehicle-borne bomb and an IS tunnel.
— Near Rawa, a strike engaged onetactical unit.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
These strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to destroy Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
According to an accompanying media release:
“The destruction of ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria also further limits the group’s ability to project terror and conduct external operations throughout the region and the rest of the world.
The list above contains all strikes conducted by fighter, attack, bomber, rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft; rocket-propelled artillery; and some ground-based tactical artillery when fired on planned targets.”
We understand that ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike, they added. A strike, as defined by the coalition, refers to one or more kinetic engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single or cumulative effect.
Wear and tear and depletion of munitions: Not that I am against UK forces being involved in these operations I have concerns that the MoD will have insufficient resources to keep the Tornado going until its Out of Service date, or that events will dictate its Out of Service date must be extended. Also that its successor is taking much longer than anticipated to reach its full potential.
Add to that it’s unknown what stocks of weapons the RAF is depleting and if the MoD is capable of funding their replacements and additional stocks for future conflicts. Long lead items really are long lead times.
The Government must fund these necessities promptly.
Thank you for this forum.