U.S. military operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists in Iraq and Syria have now been designated as Operation Inherent Resolve, U.S. Central Command officials announced today in a release.
The operation name applies retroactively to all U.S. military actions conducted against ISIL in Iraq and Syria since airstrikes against ISIL began Aug. 8 in Iraq.
U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew conduct an operational resupply airdrop of supplies near Bayji, Iraq, Oct. 11, 2014. The C-130 dropped 14 container delivery system bundles, seven bundles of fresh drinking water and seven bundles of Meals Ready to Eat. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Bruch
The name Inherent Resolve is “intended to reflect the unwavering resolve and deep commitment of the U.S. and partner nations in the region and around the globe to eliminate the terrorist group ISIL and the threat they pose to Iraq, the region and the wider international community,” CENTCOM officials explained.
“It also symbolizes the willingness and dedication of coalition members to work closely with friends in the region and apply all available dimensions of national power necessary – diplomatic, informational, military and economic – to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL,” officials added.
CENTCOM also announced today that U.S. attack and fighter aircraft conducted five airstrikes in Iraq and 18 airstrikes in Syria Oct. 14 and 15.
A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet supporting Operation Inherent Resolve finishes refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker over Iraq after conducting an airstrike, Oct. 4, 2014. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel
In Iraq, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL armed vehicle and an ISIL guard shack near Haditha Dam., and four airstrikes near Bayji destroyed an ISIL building, an ISIL Humvee, and an ISIL machine gun, and damaged an ISIL artillery piece.
In Syria, U.S. bomber and fighter aircraft carried out 18 airstrikes near Kobani, destroying multiple ISIL fighting positions, and striking 16 ISIL-occupied buildings, according to the release.
No aircraft were reported lost.