16 airstrikes launched against ISIL in Syria

WASHINGTON, July 5 (KUNA) -- The US-led coalition against ISIL carried out 16 airstrikes in Syria on Saturday, "destroying vital ISIL-controlled structures and transit routes," a statement from the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) has revealed.
"Coalition Forces successfully engaged multiple targets throughout the ISIL stronghold of Ar-Raqqah which have severely constricted terrorist freedom of movement," the statement affirmed.
"The operation focused on mobility corridors used by ISIL to project their fighters and military equipment, and to destabilize the region. These airstrikes, combined with ground force activity throughout northern Syria, are increasing the pressure on ISIL," it continued. "This pressure comes on the heels of ISIL ceding over 5,000 square kilometers of territory to anti-ISIL forces over the past two months," CJTF-OIR noted. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gilleran said the "significant" airstrikes launched on Saturday were meant "to deny Daesh (ISIL) the ability to move military capabilities throughout Syria and into Iraq." "This was one of the largest deliberate engagements we have conducted to date in Syria, and it will have debilitating effects on Daesh's ability to move from Ar-Raqqah," he added.
The ISIL, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, controls large swaths of lands in Syria and Iraq. (end) ys.rk