U.S.-led Coalition strikes in Iraq destroyed an Islamic State improvised explosive device factory near the city of Hawija on Wednesday, Operation Inherent Resolve said in a press release.
“Near Huwijah, six strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; suppressed four ISIS oil stills; and destroyed five ISIS oil tanks, an IED facility, a VBIED, a weapons cache, a vehicle, a fighting position, and three ISIS-held buildings,” the release said on Thursday.
The Iraqi Army announced on Thursday that its troops had liberated Hawija from ISIS.
Coalition forces conducted a total of nine strikes consisting of 16 engagements in Iraq. The other strikes included:
- Near Al Qaim, two strikes destroyed an ISIS weapons cache and a VBIED factory.
- Near Al Asad, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.
In Syria, the Coalition carried out 28 strikes consisting of 31 engagements against ISIS:
- Near Dayr Az Zawr [Deir Ezzor], five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed four vehicles and a VBIED.
- Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed two communications systems, 17 fighting positions, one command and control node, two logistics nodes, four ISIS oil stills and three ISIS oil trucks; and suppressed two fighting positions.
Additionally, the Coalition closed 14 strikes consisting of 14 engagements conducted on October 2-3:
•On Oct. 2, near Raqqah, 10 strikes engaged 10 ISIS tactical units.
•On Oct. 3, near Raqqah, four strikes destroyed three ISIS fighting positions and a VBIED.
The U.S.-led Coalition of more than 70 members has been conducting airstrikes, ground-based and rocket-propelled artillery fire against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq since 2014.
