Nations conduct largest effort against ISIS

The U.S. and coalition partners launched the single largest coalition effort against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) this week to help clear them from northwestern Iraq, according to a coalition spokesman.  

About 15 coalition aircraft conducted 45 airstrikes near Sinjar and Zumar between Dec. 15 and 17.

“We, along with our partner nations, have undertaken numerous airstrikes in the vicinity of Sinjar to push back against ISIL elements and their ability to continue attacks against communities in the area,” said Gary Boucher, a U.S. spokesman for the international task force against ISIS. 

The U.S. and coalition partners first began conducting airstrikes and humanitarian airdrops in Sinjar in August, to break ISIS’s siege of Sinjar Mountain, which were threatening thousands of members of a minority sect known as the Yezidis.

“Yezidi contacts have reported that these strikes have been effective in helping them to maintain control of the mountain,” he said.  

Although it wasn’t the highest number of strikes conducting during one operation, it included the largest number of coalition partners, Boucher said. 

The operation was conducted in support of peshmerga and Iraqi security forces in the region. The strikes destroyed about 50 targets.

The U.S. and coalition forces also conducted a barrage of airstrikes elsewhere in Iraq and in Syria. 

Fighter and bomber aircraft conducted six airstrikes in Syria — five near Kobani, destroying an ISIS building, staging area, bunker, a mortar, two tactical units, two additional buildings and two fighting positions. Another strike near Abu Kamal destroyed an ISIS vehicle. 

In Iraq, coalition fighter, bomber, attack, and drones conducted 16 additional airstrikes. Eight airstrikes near Mosul destroyed two heavy machine guns, three buildings, one mortar position, one bulldozer and a bunker, and struck a large ISIS unit and a tactical unit. 

Near Tal-Afar, two airstrikes destroyed a building, three bridges and a tactical unit. In a different operation near Sinjar, two airstrikes destroyed two vehicles, two guard towers, three containers and one storage container. 

Near Hit, an airstrike destroyed an ISIS tactical vehicle and an excavator. Near Rawa, an airstrike destroyed a building and a storage container. Near Erbil, an airstrike destroyed a vehicle and struck a tactical unit. Near Ramadi, an airstrike destroyed a building. 

Nations participating in the strikes in Iraq include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Netherlands and the United Kingdom; nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.