SOUTHWEST, ASIA –
Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve sheltered civilians as they continued supporting partner forces through coordinated airstrikes and ground offensive support in Iraq and in the Middle Euphrates River Valley, Syria, Jan. 13 – 21, 2019.
On Jan. 16, partner forces liberated the town of As Susah, Syria. During the fight, partner forces rescued civilians and captured ISIS terrorists as they attempted to flee the MERV into Iraq and other areas of Syria. CJTF-OIR and Syrian partners provided assistance to the civilians and partner forces transported the civilians to safety.
In Syria, Coalition air strikes removed more than 200 ISIS terrorists from the battlefield and destroyed ISIS weapons systems and command and control nodes.
In Iraq, CJTF-OIR and partner forces destroyed more than 1,400 improvised explosive devices during multiple route clearance patrols. CJTF-OIR and partner forces also launched coordinated airstrikes, which destroyed five ISIS weapons caches and hiding places, one vehicle-borne IED, and one homemade-explosive laboratory.
CJTF-OIR conducted a survey of Iraqi border security posts after coordinating with Iraqi Security Forces. Coalition forces and the ISF worked together to safeguard the security of Iraq’s border and ensure the protection of the people of Iraq.
"The Coalition and our partner forces continue to make the safety of civilians in the area a top priority," said British Maj. Gen. Christopher Ghika, deputy commander-strategy and information for Operation Inherent Resolve.
"We target any remaining ISIS terrorists because they threaten both the local population and security in the region," Ghika added.
These efforts and strikes further degrade the capability of ISIS, preventing them from consolidating resources and conducting activities across Iraq.
United international efforts against ISIS will prevent its ability to recruit, train, equip, finance, plan, inspire and conduct violent extremist acts, regionally and globally. Coalition Forces, comprised of 74 partner nations and five international organizations, are deployed in support of CJTF-OIR, working by, with and through partner forces to bring about the enduring defeat of ISIS.
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