DoD update on US-led airstrikes on Islamic State. Step it up gentlemen, step it up

The single Coalition airstrike in Syria this past week destroyed an Islamic State vehicle and mortar tube. Whoopee. 

I don't want to hear, 'The Russian and Syrian air forces are flying so many strikes we can't find a place in the air for our planes.' 

That could have been the excuse, although a lame one, before the U.S. and Russia signed their deconflict agreement -- or I hope it's signed. At any rate, there is something known as coordination. Now stop clowning around.     

In addition to airstrikes the U.S. needs to pressure those members of Inherent Resolve, such as Saudi Arabia, to stop supplying war materiel to all jihad groups -- materiel they know will end up in the hands of Islamic State and al Qaeda. 

The pressure needs to extend to the White House, if it's still authorizing the CIA to supply "moderate" jihad groups. Does it get wackier to supply the bad guys while at the same time bombing them? Granted the bombing has been half-hearted. Oh look, we bombed a cactus in Islamic State territory!  

 

Coalition Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, October 23, 2015 — U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrike in Syria

Remotely piloted aircraft conducted a strike near Mar’a, which destroyed an ISIL vehicle and an ISIL mortar tube. 

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, fighter, and bomber aircraft conducted 15 airstrikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government:

-- Near Kisik, a strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Makhmur, a strike destroyed two ISIL weapons caches.

-- Near Mosul, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units, suppressed ISIL mortar fire, and destroyed five ISIL heavy machine guns, five ISIL fighting positions, and an ISIL tactical vehicle.

-- Near Ramadi, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units, denied ISIL access to terrain, and destroyed seven ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL heavy machine guns, three ISIL mobility obstacles, two ISIL roadside bomb clusters, two ISIL mortar positions, an ISIL building, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL bomb and an ISIL anti-tank guided missile system.

-- Near Sinjar, three strikes destroyed 15 ISIL fighting positions and two ISIL command and control nodes.

-- Near Tal Afar, two strikes struck two separate ISIL bomb-making facilities.

-- Near Sultan Abdallah, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. 

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

[END PRESS RELEASE]