US-led coalition launches 21 airstrikes against ISIL

WASHINGTON, April 17 (KUNA) -- The Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) on Friday announced it had carried out a total of 21 airstrikes against ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq in the last 24 hours.
In Syria, eight airstrikes were launched using attack and bomber aircraft, the statement revealed.
The airstrikes hit near Al Hasakah, where two of them struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL armored vehicle, and near Ain Al-Arab/Kobane, where six of them struck four ISIL tactical units, destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions, five ISIL vehicles and two ISIL motorcycles, CJTF-OIR said.
In Iraq, 13 airstrikes were launched using fighter, attack and remotely piloted aircraft, the statement affirmed.
Near Al Asad, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL excavator; near Bayji, five airstrikes struck five ISIL tactical units, destroyed four ISIL vehicles, three ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL heavy machine gun; near Fallujah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle; and near Hit, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, CJTF-OIR said.
Near Mosul, one airstrike struck an ISIL large tactical unit; near Ramadi, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL excavator and an ISIL vehicle; near Tal Afar, one airstrike destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL building; and finally near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL fighting position and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, the statement showed.
"The steady, continuous pressure being applied by ground forces and coalition airstrikes is degrading Daesh (ISIL) and clearly inhibiting their operational freedom, span of control, military capacity and fighter morale," CJTF-OIR Chief of Staff Brigadier General Thomas Weidley affirmed. (end) ys.bs