WASHINGTON, April 30 (KUNA) -- The Global Coalition to Defeat so-called Islamic State/Daesh group conducted several airstrikes on IS fighters hiding in 10 caves across the Hamrin Mountains, Iraq, on Wednesday, according to a coalition statement on Thursday.
"Strikes like these help our Iraqi partners maintain relentless pressure on the Daesh scourge, no matter where these terrorists hide," said Maj Gen. Eric Hill, commanding general, Special Operations Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve.
The statement unveiled that the airstrikes were conducted in coordination with the Government of Iraq.
"After the strikes, the 14th Iraqi Army Division and security forces found IS documents, electronic devices, and fragments of weapons and other equipment. The ground search continues; much of the cave complex is inaccessible, post-strike; Initial estimates are 5-10 Daesh fighters were killed; this number may be revised as based on follow-on searches," added the statement.
It noted that the Hamrin Mountains are a known Daesh safe haven with intricate tunnel and cave systems used to smuggle weapons, facilitate senior leader movements and plot terrorist attacks in the region.
Daesh senior leaders and their operatives have used the rugged mountains as one of their last remaining operating areas in Iraq.
"Removing Daesh fighters and mid-level operatives from the battlefield further degrades their ability to resurge and plot terrorist attacks against innocent civilians, our Iraqi partners, and Coalition troops," reads the statement.
The coalition vowed that it and Iraqi security partners will continue to target and pursue Daesh fighters in across Iraq.
"The Coalition and our partners remain committed to the defeat of IS in Iraq," it concluded. (end) rsr.ibi