Coalition strikes near Syria-Iraq border while Raqqa strikes are paused

U.S.-led Coalition strikes continued to focus on Islamic State targets near the Iraq-Syria border on Sunday, Operation Inherent Resolve said in a press release.

“Near Al Qaim, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five supply routes, two VBIED factories and an ISIS-held building,” the release said on Monday, October 16, adding that a further strike near Qaim on Saturday destroyed five ISIS supply routes and a tunnel entrance.

Coalition spokesperson Colonel Ryan Dillon told The Defense Post on Monday that Syrian Democratic Forces have not been calling in airstrikes in Raqqa beacuse operations have been paused while civilians were evacuated from the city under a deal brokered by Raqqa Arab tribal elders which included the surrender of many Syrian ISIS fighters. Offensive operations in Raqqa are due to resume later Monday, Dillon said.

On October 15, Coalition forces conducted a total of eight strikes consisting of nine engagements in Iraq:

• Near Al Qaim, four strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five supply routes, two VBIED factories and an ISIS-held building.
• Near Ar Rutbah, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed three vehicles.
• Near Rawah, one strike destroyed two command and control nodes and an anti-air artillery system.
• Near Tuz, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a tunnel.

In Syria, the Coalition carried out two strikes consisting of two engagements:

• Near Ash Shadaddi, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.
• Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a tactical vehicle.

Additionally, one strike consisting of one engagement was conducted in Iraq on October 14:

• Near Al Qaim, one strike destroyed five ISIS supply routes and a tunnel entrance.

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.