Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses. Share the link of this article with your facebook friends

 

US-Russian-Iranian-Regime War Against Sunni Muslim Arab Areas in Syria Continues with Hundreds Killed Daily

September 24, 2017 

Editor's Note:

The coalition which fights the Islamic State and other Sunni groups in Syria consists of US-led NATO forces, Russian forces, Syrian Alewite government forces, Iranian-backed Shi'i militias, and Kurdish peshmerga forces. The coalition's continuous attacks have resulted in the killing of thousands of Iraqi and Syrian Sunni Muslim Arabs and the eviction of millions of them as a result of the destruction of their cities and villages.

The end outcome is going to be the weakening and possible dismantling of Iraqi and Syrian states as well as the eviction (ethnic cleansing of) Sunni Muslim Arabs, particularly from the upper Euphrates region of northwestern Iraq and northeastern Syria. 

The larger context for understanding the Syrian war (and other wars in the Middle East) is that it contributes to the implementation of the Zionist-Israeli plan of destroying the Arab Middle Eastern states in preparation for the establishment of the greater Israeli empire, from the Nile of Egypt to the Euphrates of Iraq.  

For a background, read: 

Zionist Creative Destruction of the Middle East for the Benefit of the Apartheid Israeli Regime

 

 

A Russian war plane bombing areas held by Syrian opposition, September 23, 2017	Syrian regime war planes bomb Khan Shaykhoon, September 21, 2017

 

The following are news stories from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) website (http://www.syriahr.com/en/):

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The death of 34 members raises the death toll to 66 members at least of the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them since they crossed the Euphrates River

SOHR, 24/09/2017

Deir Ezzor Province –

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: the western banks of the Euphrates River witnessed violent clashes between the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities on one hand, and the members of the “Islamic State” organization on the other, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored that the clashes concentrated in the out skirts of Hawija Sakr, following a violent counter attack by the members of the regime on the area, and the organization started the attack by exploding a booby trapped vehicle followed by attacks by groups of the organization on the regime forces positions, accompanied by intensive shelling by the regime forces and shelling by the organization on the positions of other party, and the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them monitored the death of tens of the members of the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them, where the SOHR documented the death of 34 members at least of the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them and the injury of others with varying degrees of severity, during the attack which carried out on the 23rd of September 2017, thus, the number of casualties who were killed by the counter attacks, and the explosions of the booby trapped vehicles, since the 18th of September 2017, the date of crossing the Euphrates River by the regime and Russian forces, by using water bridges and boats, is raised to 66, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored that the members of the organization pulled the dead bodies of the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them and carried them around in villages and areas controlled by it, to prove its strength and its ability to defeat the attackers.

And the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published on the 18th of September 2017 that scouting forces of the regime forces crossed the Euphrates River to the eastern bank of it which is opposite Dair Ezzoar city under a Russian cover, by using water bridges, and that took place after intensive shelling by the regime forces targeted the banks opposite to Dair Ezzoar Military Airbase and the areas of Al-Jafrah and Al-Mrey’eyah which the regime forces controlled.

And the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published yesterday that Marrat, Al-Husseiniyah, Al-Junaynah, Hatla and Al-Sabha, on the eastern banks of the Euphrates River opposite Dair Ezzoar  city, witnessed intensive shelling by the regime forces by rocket and artillery shells, in a preparation of the Russian forces and the regime forces for crossing the Euphrates River, to take the control of the villages opposite the city, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published hours ago that the regime forces backed by their allied militiamen of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, and supported by Russian air cover, are trying to advance and control the Hawijah Sakar area, which will allow the Russian forces and the regime forces to use it Dair Ezzoar military base as a base for the ongoing military operation in Dair Ezzoar province, and the attempt to control the area located in the outskirts of the Dair Ezzoar area

And the regime forces managed more than one week ago to open the main road coming from Damascus, and the operation of lifting the siege was carried out on 3 stages the first was to lift the siege on the Brigade 137, then lifting the siege of Dair Ezzoar Military Airport and the bloc of neighborhoods related to it, and the third stage was to reach the western entrance of Dair Ezzoar city at the area of Panorama area after taking the control of Damascus – Dair Ezzoar road.

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Tens of air raids target Khan Shaykhun and the countryside of Hama and Idlib raising the death toll of the ((Last Attempt)) battle to 25 civilians

SOHR, 21/09/2017

Warplanes continue bombarding areas in the countryside of Hama and Idlib, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored the flight of a squadron of warplanes in the skies of both areas and carried out several raids, where Russian and regime warplanes have been carrying out tens of airstrikes since Dawn of today on cities, towns and villages of Khan Shaykhun, Al-Taman’aa, Al-Hbit, Nairab, al-Rai , Tar’ei, Haas and al-Tah in the southern countryside of Idlib, and al-Lataminah , KafrZitta, Kafr Nabudah, Latmin, al-Arba’ein and al-Sahriyya in the countryside of Hama, which caused the death of 3 citizens; a woman and 2 of her grandchildren in Khan Shaykhun, and serval others were injured, some of them are still in a serious condition, which may raise the death toll, and these 3 casualties raise to 25 at least, the number of casualties documented by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights since the dawn of the 19th of September 2017 until the 21st of the same moth, they are 9 casualties including 3 citizen women and two children were killed by raids by the warplanes on Qal’aat al-Madiq, and a man and another man and his wife and their daughter were killed by raids on Khan Shaykhun, and a woman was killed by bombing on al-Tah, and a woman was killed by bombing on Al-Taman’aa, and 4 citizens of one family they are a woman and two of her sons and her grandson, and 3 citizens including a citizen woman were killed by raids on Al-Sahriyya, Al-Hbit  and Kafr Nabudah, and the death toll is expected to rise because there are some people in critical situation.

While the regime forces shelled areas in the towns and villages of Hirbnafsah, al-Emiqa, Zayzoun and Qastun in Sahl al-Ghab in the northwestern and southern countryside of Hama, also the factions targeted regime forces’ controlled areas in Muhradah and Asila after targeting Al-Suqaylabiyah, Shatha, Salhab, Al-Karah, Kawkab, which resulted in the death of 4 citizens including two citizen women and 2 of her children, and others were injured with varying degrees of severity, while the clashes are still continuing between the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them on one hand, and the fighters of the Islamic Party of Turkestan, Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham, the rebel and Islamic factions and Jaysh al-Izza on the other, in areas in the northeastern countryside of Hama.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published today that warplanes don’t almost stop flying over Hama and Idlib, for the 3rd consecutive day, in which the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights observed carrying out hundreds of raids which targeted areas in the northern, the north-eastern and the north-western countryside of Hama, and the southern countryside of Idlib, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the increase of the number of the raids carried out by the Russian as well as the regime’s warplanes and helicopters, to 471 raids at least which have targeted since the dawn of the 19th September 2017, until today the 21st September 2017, the cities, the towns and the villages of Al-Lataminah, Murak, Al-Zakah, Kafr Nabudah, Al-Ziyarah, Khirbat al-Naqus, Al-Janabrah “Al-Labbanah”, Tal Hwash, Kafr Zita, Arafa, Hazm and Al-Arba’in and the viciity of Ma’an, Atshan, Khafsin, Qalaat al-Madiq and Al-Sahriyya in the northern, the north-eastern and the north-western countryside of Hama, and the cities and the towns of Khan Shaykhun, Kafr Nubl, Sahyan, Tar’aa, Al-Sheikh Mustafa, Sinjar, Maarzita, Al-Ftireh, Karsaa, Nqeir, Al-Taman’aa, Al-Hbit, Sukayk, Maar Hattat, Jarjnaz, Al-Hamidyya, Tell Manna, Wadi Al-Deif, Al-Tah, Latmin and Al-Barah in the southern countryside of Idlib, and other areas in Hama and Idlib.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also documented since the battle of ((the Last Attempt)) started that the air strikes targeted the civil defense centers in Khan Shaykhun, Al-Taman’aa and Kafr Nubl in the southern countryside of Idlib, in addition to targeting the hospitals and the medical points in the southern countryside, by warplanes and helicopters, they are Al-Rahma medical point in Khan Shaykhun, and Al-Rahman maternity in Al-Tah town which were directly targeted, as well as targeting the vicinity of a hospital in Kafr Nubl and the vicinity of a medical point in Ma’ar Zita, It was mentioned that this battle of the last attempt, comes in an effort by the factions to achieve advancement in the area and take the control of the villages which close the distance between them and the strategic mountain of Zayn Al-Abidin and Hama city, while this battle comes after preparations lasted for days in which Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham intended to tell the citizens in the villages in the far southern countryside of Idlib and the north-eastern countryside of Hama, to leave their houses to avoid the intensive shelling which will be carried out on the area if the operation starts, thus, the area witnessed a displacement movement during the past days to villages far from the areas of this military operation, while Hama province witnessed months ago violent clashes between the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities, and the rebel and Islamic factions and Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham, in which they managed to take the control of a large number of villages and towns, under a cover of intensive shelling, then the regime forces came and retook the control on the whole areas they lost.

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130 persons were killed yesterday including 15 members of the regime forces and the gunmen loyal to them, and 53 citizens were killed by bombing, fall of shells, executions, the bullets of snipers and other circumstances

SOHR, 21/09/2017

The number of people who joined yesterday to the convoy of the Martyrs of the Syrian Revolution has increased to 13 persons including two fighters.

In Deir Ezzor province, 5 citizens including a citizen woman were killed by shelling by the “Islamic State” organization by several shells during the past 24 hours, on areas in Al-Qosur and Al-Jorah neighborhoods which are controlled by the regime forces in Deir Ezzor city

And in Hama province, 4 citizens including two citizen women and a child were killed as a result of the fall of shells on areas in Al-Suqaylabiyah and Salhab in Hama countryside

In Rif Dimashq province, two fighters of Jaysh Usud al-Sharqiyyah were killed by shelling and clashes against the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them in the Syrian Desert in the south east of Rif Dimashq

And in Al-Hasaka province, a citizen woman was killed after being shot by the Turkish border guards in Al-Qamishli countryside

And in Al-Quneitra province, a young man from Hodr town in the northern section of Al-Quneitra countryside was killed by being targeted by a sniper of the Islamic factions on the outskirts of the town

Reliable sources also reported the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that 10 citizens at least died because of the tragic living and health conditions, and the lack of medicine, as the area where the displaced people exist, suffer from the lack of drinking water and the great shortage of remaining food, amid bad weather conditions

While the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the death of 9 persons including 3 citizen women and two children they were killed by raids by warplanes on Qalaat al-Madiq, a man was killed by raids on Khan Shaykhun city, a woman was killed by raids on Al-Tah Hospital, and a woman was killed by bombing on Al-Taman’aa, 4 citizens of one family they are a woman and two of her sons and her grandson, were killed by raids on Jarjnaz, and 3 citizens including a citizen woman were killed by raids on Al-Sahriyya, Al-Hbit  and Kafr Nabudah

Local sources in the east of the Euphrates River told the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that they found dead bodies of 13 civilians, who were shot in the area of Marat located opposite to Deir Ezzor military base near the eastern banks of the Euphrates River, where the local sources asserted to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that they found the 13 citizens, including women, in  Marat area, after the regime forces reached the outskirts of the river, and the local sources asserted that these citizens were trying to flee the military operation and reach safe areas, but the Euphrates-crossing regime forces stopped them on the 18th of September, telling them that they are their ‘friends” and that the area is under the regime’s control but some of them continued their way to displace to areas in the countryside of Deir Ezzor, but the regime forces and their allied militiamen opened fire at them and others existed in the area, killing them all

While a leader of Ahrar al-Sham who was a mine official was killed as well as another fighter of the movement by an explosion of a landmine during disassembling it in the outskirts of Maarrat Al-Nu’man in the southern section of Idlib countryside.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also documented the death of 27 members of the “Islamic State” organization as a result of clashes in Al-Raqqah city, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the death of 6 fighters of the Syria Democratic Forces, in clashes against the members of the “Islamic State” organization in Al-Raqqah city.

The number of casualties of the fighters and the members who were killed and were documented by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, has increased to 104 persons, they are 66 fighters at least of Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham, Turkistan and the factions of who have been killed since the battle of ((the Last Attempt)) started, while 38 members at least of the regime forces and gunmen loyal to them, were killed in the same clashes, also tens of people of the both parties were injured with varying degrees of severity.

And 8 members of the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them died affected by the injury they had in shelling and clashes against the “Islamic State” organization

And 10 fighters at least of the “Islamic State” organization of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities were found dead, by clashes and bombing by warplanes and helicopters as well as shelling on their positions.

Russian warplanes “retaliate” from Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham and kill 28 at least of their opponents

SOHR, 23/09/2017

The number of casualties continues to rise after recovering people and bodies from the rubble caused by the aerial bombardment on the eastern countryside of Idlib, where it rose to 28 at least, the number of Al-Sham Corps fighters who were killed and documented by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, after raids by Russian warplanes on sites of Al-Sham Corps in Tal Mardikh area near Saraqeb town in the eastern countryside of Idlib, and recovering the bodies from under the rubble is still taking place.

Also warplanes carried out raids on areas in Ma’erzita town in the southern countryside of Idlib, while the helicopter dropped barrel bombs on areas in the villages of Atshan and Um Hartyn in the northeastern countryside of Hama, amid continued clashes between the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them against fighters of the rebel and Islamic factions and Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham, in the far northeastern of Hama, where the clashes are concentrated in the vicinity of Um Hartyn village, while the regime forces are seeking to advance in the area, while the factions are trying to regain control of Qbibat al-Huda village which was controlled by the regime forces hours ago.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published yesterday that the numbers of casualties have increased in the ranks of the Islamic Movement of Ahrar al-Sham, as a result of the missiles shelling and Russian raids on Jabal Al-Zawiyah in the southern countryside of Idlib, where the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the death of 5 fighters at least, while others were injured as a result of the fall of a missiles believed to be ballistic in addition to 15 raids by warplanes targeted about 15 headquarters of Ahrar al-Sham, in Sarjah area and its surroundings in Jabal Al-Zawiyah, and the death toll is expected to rise because there are some people in critical situation.

And Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published hours ago that a child was killed and others were injured in missile shelling from the Russian warships on salt factory area in the agriculture lands in Kafrsajna town in the southern countryside of Idlib, and the activists of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored that a child was killed and his body was burned in a missile shelling launched from Russian warship, and the SOHR monitored that warplanes carried out heavy airstrikes on the same area and other areas in Sarja town and al-Tamna’a town in the southern countryside of Idlib while the warplanes carried out 2 airstrikes on areas in Kansafra town in Zawiyah Mountain, and 4 airstrikes were launched on areas in the outskirts of Saraqeb town in the eastern countryside of Idlib, and several airstrikes were launched on areas in the vicinity of Khan Shaykhon city in the southern countryside of Idlib, amid 5 warplanes are flying in the sky of the province.

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Three years of the US-led coalition’s military operations claim the lives of more than 2800 civilians out of about 10500 people killed by its warplanes and missiles in Syria

SOHR, 23/09/2017

US-led coalition forces and warplanes helped the Syria Democratic Forces and their supported factions to control about 39000 km² of the Syrian land area

US-led international coalition warplanes which killed hundreds of Syrian civilians- have ended on Saturday the 23rd September 2017 their 3rd year of military operations in the Syrian territory, they have started on the 3rd of 2014, and began by targeting several the Syrian areas, and their first massacre by rocket bombardment against Syrian civilians was carried out in Kafr Darian in the countryside of Idlib, afterwards the killing of Syrian civilians continued, and these warplanes almost on a daily basis continued bombing sites and targets they collected prior to the start of their military intervention in Syria, and the International Coalition supported the YPG mainly, where later YPG formed the mainstay of the Syria Democratic Forces, and with these forces they contributed in recovering about 35500 km² of the Syrian territory, extending the control of YPG and Syria Democratic Forces until today the 23rd of September 2017 to about 44500 km² of the Syrian territory, which is about 24% of Syria’s  geographical area, while they also controlled an area of about 3550 square kilometers (1.91% of the Syria’s area) north of the al-Tanf area in the Syrian desert.

This International Coalition have killed thousands of members and military leaders of the first and second ranks, as well as field commanders of the “Islamic State” organization, in addition to killing tens of leaders and members of al-Nusra front (Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham) and of the jihadist groups operating on Syrian soil, in addition to killing tens of members of the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them by targeting their sites and columns in several areas, however, at the same time the International Coalition has killed hundreds of Syrian civilians whose killing cannot be justified by the presence of any member or commander of any Jihadi group what so ever, but the killing under this pretext and the slogan of “fighting the Islamic State organization” has become the title of any massacre, and all those who killed the Syrian persons now say that they “fight terrorism”.

The 33rd month of the International Coalition’s bombing on Syria between the 23rd of May 2017 and 23rd of June 2017 has witnessed the highest civilian death toll with 472 civilians, including 137 children and 113 women, all of who were killed due to bombing by the International Coalition.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has documented since the 23rd of September 2014 until today the 23rd of September 2017 the death of 10443 people, they were killed in bombing and raids by warplanes of the International Coalition, also these airstrikes have injured hundreds of other citizens and some of whom wave had serious injuries, amputations and disabilities, they have also damaged private and public property.

Among the total number of casualties there are 2617 Syrian civilian citizens, including 615 children under the age of eighteen, and 443 citizen women over the age of eighteen, they were killed in the provinces of al-Hasakah, Al-Raqqah, Aleppo, Idlib and Deir Ezzor, including 58 persons including 6 children, a citizen woman and 19 unidentified persons were killed in targeting a call-for-Islam center in al-Jinah village in the western countryside of Aleppo, and more than 64 persons including 12 children, were killed in bombing by Coalition’s warplanes on al-Tokhar area in the northern countryside of Manbij, and 64 civilians killed in a massacre at the night of Thursday-Friday 30th/4 and 1st/5 of 2015 in the village of Bir Mahhalli near Sarrin town south of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani) city as following: 31 persons under the age of eighteen (16 male and 15 female), 19 citizen women over the age of eighteen years, 13 men over the age of eighteen, and an eighteen years old boy.

154 persons of families of the “Islamic State” organization, they are 68 children under the age of sixteen, 57 women and 29 men, all of them were killed in airstrikes by warplanes of International Coalition on a building in al-Mayadin city in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, and 42 prisoners who were killed by international coalition airstrike on Abu Abdullah Al-Nuaimi, who is a former leader in Nusra Front “Qaeda Organization in the Levant”, and who was executed by the “Islamic State” organization and took his house and turned it into a prison affiliated to the security services of the organization, which has been divided into main parts, one of them is for civilians and the other part is for the prisoners of the members of the organization, and a wife of a commander in the “Islamic state” organizing was killed with 4 of her children in bombing by the International Coalition’s warplanes on Dabeq area in the northern countryside of Aleppo.

Also 7163  members of the “Islamic state” at least were killed, most of them are not Syrians, including tens of leaders of Syrian, Arab and foreign nationalities, most notably Abu Omar al-Shishani, Abu Osama al-Iraqi the Wali of “al-Baraka State”, Amer al-Rafdan the former Wali of “al-Khair State”, the leader Abu Sayyaf, Aby Jandal al-Kuwaiti, Abu Sufiyan al-Omrani and Abu Huthayfa al-Orduni.

Also 141 fighters at least from Fath al-Sham Front were killed in the bombing by the International Coalition’s warplanes on headquarters of Jabhat Al-Nusra in the western countryside of Aleppo and the northern countryside of Idlib, the most prominent is the leader in al-Qaeda Muhsin al-Fadli, Abu Hamam the military leader in Jabhat al-Nusra, Abu Omar al-Kurdi, Abu Hamza al-Faransi, Abu Qatada al-Tunusi and Abu al-Afghan al-Masri.

While 10 fighters from Jaysh al-Sunna were killed in the bombing of the International Coalition’s warplanes on their HQs in Atamah area in the countryside of Idlib, also a fighter from an Islamic Brigade was detained by the “Islamic state” killed in bombing by International Coalition’s warplanes on a headquarters for the “Islamic State” in the township of Ma’dan in the countryside of Al-Raqqah.

Also a media man works for agency belongs to the “Islamic state” was killed in airstrikes carried out by warplanes believed to be for the International Coalition on areas in the village of Tal Battal in the northern countryside of Aleppo.

While the international coalition warplanes killed 140 members at least from the regime forces and militiamen loyal to them by targeting the Artillery battalion and other sites in the vicinity of al-Thardeh Mountain in Deir Ezzor city, and al-Shayrat Airbase in the countryside of Homs and an area near al-Tanaf in the Syrian Desert.

And 157 of the jihadi groups were killed in shelling by warplanes of the International Coalition on Idlib Province and on the western countryside of Aleppo, including tens of the prominent leaders and field commanders and “international Jihadists”.

And 12 members at least of commanders and members of Jaysh Khaled Ibn al-Walid which swore allegiance to the “Islamic State” organization were killed in bombing by warplanes, but it is not known whether the warplanes belong to the International Coalition or not, where the warplanes targeted Jomla area adjacent to the administrative border with the Syrian occupied Golan, and other areas in al-Yarmouk Valley in the western countryside of Daraa.

We, in the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, believe that the human losses in the ranks of the “Islamic State” and other Islamic factions are greater than the number we managed to document so far, because of the extreme secrecy by the targeted parties about their human losses.

We in the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, and with the death of more than 2800 civilians including about 1200 children and women, we strongly condemn targeting civilians in anywhere and under any pretext and in any time by the international coalition and these parties, because they repeatedly went deaf in regard with the earlier persistent calls by the Observatory, the Observatory also renews the call to spare the civilians from any military action on the Syrian soil, because the sons of the Syrian people have had enough killing, where millions of them were killed, injured and displaced as the result of the shelling and bombing that targeted their areas, while the international community continues its horrifying silence towards the Syrian people’s pain and hopes of reaching the state of justice, equality, democracy and freedom, as well as punishing those who have killed and helped in the killing, and bringing them for justice in the specialized courts.

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The following are news stories from the US Department of Defense website (http://www.defense.gov/News) :

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OIR Spokesman: Liberation From ISIS Underway in Iraqi Towns

By Terri Moon Cronk DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2017 —

Operations have begun to liberate western Anbar and Huwayjah, the last two areas in Iraq where the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria hold territory, said Army Col. Ryan Dillon, spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi made the operations announcement to eradicate ISIS, Dillon said, speaking to Pentagon reporters via teleconference out of Baghdad, today.

“Already, the [Iraqi forces] have routed ISIS in Akashat, Rihanna, and just this morning they have cleared 11 villages, completing their first phase of operations in Huwayjah,” the spokesman said. “These operations are evidence, and showcase the [Iraqis’] increased capacity as a battle-tested, formidable fighting force.”

It is clear that ISIS are overwhelmed and outmatched by the strength of the [Iraqi forces], he said. “[ISIS] is losing ground, and is failing in every battle. Soon, ISIS will have no sanctuary anywhere in Iraq,” Dillon said.

The coordination among the Iraqi army, the federal police, peshmerga forces, local police, counterterrorism service, and popular and tribal mobilization forces has contributed to the victories seen recently against ISIS, the spokesman said. So far, he added, more than 4 million people have been liberated, and about 15,800 square miles have been cleared.

Raqqa Gains

In Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces continue to eliminate ISIS in the eastern and northeastern regions of that country, Dillon said. In Raqqa, “The SDF have now cleared about 70 percent of the entire city,” he added. 

The SDF gained about 84 city blocks in Raqqa from ISIS control in the past week, he said.

“In the past week, the SDF have assisted more than 200 civilians flee the city of Raqqa,” Dillon noted. “The SDF also detained ISIS fighters attempting blend in amongst civilians; one of which was another ISIS emir, or local leader.”

About 400 to 900 ISIS fighters remain in Raqqa, officials estimate.

The coalition is staying focused on defeating ISIS in Syria, “while maintaining de-confliction between various groups, especially in and around Dayr Az Zawr,” Dillon said.

De-Confliction Continues

Coalition and Russian military officials met face-to-face this week to adjust and expand de-confliction measures, he added.

“The discussions emphasized the need to share operational graphics and locations to ensure the prevention of accidental targeting or other possible frictions that will distract from the defeat of ISIS,” Dillon said.

“We will continue de-confliction efforts with the Russians at every level to ensure we remain focused on fighting ISIS; all while protecting coalition and our partners' forces,” he said. 

SDF partners continued their anti-ISIS clearance operations in the Dayr Az Zawr province, northeast of Dayr Az Zawr city, the spokesman said. Since clearing began two weeks ago, the SDF have cleared more than 193 square miles, he added.

Humanitarian Efforts

The SDF also has continued to receive, screen and assist internally displaced persons, moving north from Dayr Az Zawr, he added.

In southern Syria, near the tri-border region, coalition forces continue to conduct patrols and prepare for defeat-ISIS operations with the majority in the vicinity of Tanf, Dillon said.

Across Syria, he said, some 2.3 million people are free of ISIS control and more than 44,000 square kilometers -- nearly 17,000 square miles -- have been cleared in the ongoing fight against ISIS.

“We still expect tough fighting ahead, but with our partners' battlefield successes, increased capacity and continued support from a 73-member coalition, we will keep the pressure on until ISIS is defeated in both Iraq and Syria,” Dillon said.

Strikes Continue in Effort to Defeat ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Sept. 23, 2017 —

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 51 strikes consisting of 68 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 41 strikes consisting of 43 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed an ISIS supply route.

-- Near Raqqa, 39 strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroying 41 fighting positions, a command-and-control node and a supply route and suppressing two fighting positions.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 10 strikes consisting of 25 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Qaim, three strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters, an improvised-explosive-device facility and a weapons facility.

-- Near Huwijah, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three vehicles, two command-and-control nodes, a rocket-propelled-grenade system, a medium machine gun, a staging area, an IED factory, a vehicle-borne-IED facility, a tactical vehicle and a weapons cache.

-- Near Samarra, a strike destroyed coalition equipment that malfunctioned due to an engine failure unrelated to combat.

-- Near Tal Afar, a strike engaged two ISIS snipers and destroyed two tunnel entrances.

Additional Sept. 21 Strikes

Officials also provided details today on 31 strikes in consisting of 48 engagements conducted Sept. 21 in Syria and Iraq for which the information was not available in time for yesterday's report:

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed an ISIS tactical vehicle.

-- Near Raqqa, 28 strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed 18 fighting positions, eight vehicles, a tactical vehicle, two IEDs, two supply routes and a logistics node, damaged seven fighting positions and suppressed two fighting positions.

-- Near Huwijah, two strikes destroyed six ISIS fighting positions, three tunnel entrances, two command-and-control nodes, a vehicle-borne-IED facility and a front-end loader.

Russian Strike Wounds Syrian Democratic Forces Troops

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Sept. 16, 2017 —

At approximately 12:30 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time today, Russian forces struck a target east of the Euphrates River in Syria near Dayr Az Zawr, causing injuries to coalition partner forces, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials announced.

Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve logo Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve. DoD Graphic Download Image Image details page

Russian munitions impacted a location known to the Russians to contain Syrian Democratic Forces and coalition advisors, the officials said. Several SDF fighters were wounded and received medical care as a result of the strike.

Multinational coalition troops advising and assisting the SDF were present but were not wounded as a result of the Russian strike.

"Coalition officials are available and the deconfliction line with Russia is open 24 hours per day,” said Army Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, the coalition commander. "We put our full efforts into preventing unnecessary escalation among forces that share ISIS as our common enemy."

Coalition officials said the coalition and its partners remain committed to the defeat of of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and to continued deconfliction with Russian officials. Coalition forces and partners always retain the right of self-defense, officials noted.

Officials Release Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Sept. 16, 2017 —

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 28 strikes consisting of 33 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes consisting of 28 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, two strikes destroyed a weapons cache and an ISIS headquarters.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions.

-- Near Raqqa, 19 strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed nine ISIS supply routes, eight fighting positions, a vehicle and a logistics node; and suppressed two fighting positions.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of five engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Huwayjah, two strikes destroyed seven vehicle-borne bombs, a bunker and a heavy machine gun.

-- Near Rawah, two strikes destroyed two ISIS-held buildings, a command-and-control node and a vehicle.

Previous Strikes

Additionally, 38 strikes consisting of 55 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 14 that closed within the last 24 hours.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS unmanned aerial system, a fighting position and an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions.

-- Near Raqqa, Syria, 31 strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed 25 fighting positions, 25 vehicles, three ISIS supply routes, two logistics nodes, ISIS engineering equipment and an improvised explosive device.

-- Near Huwayjah, Iraq, a strike destroyed 11 vehicle-borne bombs and a vehicle-borne-bomb facility.

Military Strikes Continue Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Sept. 15, 2017 —

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 19 strikes consisting of 30 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

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Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes consisting of 17 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles.

-- Near Raqqa, 14 strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, three vehicles and a command-and-control node; and suppressed two fighting positions.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of 13 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Huwayjah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three ISIS headquarters, two weapons caches, two vehicle-borne bombs, two fighting positions, a command-and-control node, a mortar system, a heavy machine gun and a munitions cache.

-- Near Rawah, a strike destroyed a command-and-control node.

Previous Strikes

Additionally, nine strikes consisting of 19 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 12-13 that closed within the last 24 hours.

-- On Sept. 12, near Raqqa, Syria, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

-- On Sept. 13, near Huwayjah, Iraq, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four tunnel entrances, two vehicle-borne bombs and an ISIS-held building.

-- On Sept. 13, near Raqqa, Syria, five strikes destroyed four vehicles, three fighting positions and two logistics nodes.

-- On Sept. 13, near Rawah, Iraq, a strike destroyed an ISIS front-end loader.

Counter-ISIS Strikes Continue in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Sept. 14, 2017 —

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 43 strikes consisting of 45 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

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Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 39 strikes consisting of 41 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.

-- Near Raqqa, 29 strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit; destroyed 21 fighting positions, a vehicle-borne bomb and an ISIS unmanned aerial system; and suppressed four ISIS tactical units.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of four engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Huwayjah, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed two weapons caches, two heavy machine guns, two bunkers, an ISIS headquarters, a vehicle-borne-bomb facility and a tunnel system.

-- Near Qaim, a strike destroyed an ISIS staging area.

-- Near Rawah, a strike destroyed an improvised explosive device facility.

Previous Strikes

Additionally, eight strikes consisting of 12 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 11-12 that closed within the last 24 hours.

-- On Sept. 11, near Raqqa, Syria, a strike destroyed an ISIS fighting position.

-- On Sept. 12, near Huwayjah, Iraq, two strikes destroyed four ISIS tunnels, an anti-air artillery system, a mortar system, a weapons cache, an improvised explosive device facility, a command-and-control node and a staging area.

-- On Sept. 12, near Raqqa, Syria, five strikes destroyed 19 ISIS vehicles and suppressed a fighting position.

Coalition Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Sept. 13, 2017 —

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 65 strikes consisting of 76 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

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Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 62 strikes consisting of 64 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike destroyed a vehicle-borne-bomb facility.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicle-borne bombs, a vehicle-borne-bomb facility and a logistics node.

-- Near Raqqa, 56 strikes engaged 17 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 56 fighting positions, three logistics nodes and two vehicles; and suppressed a fighting position.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of 12 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Huwayjah, three strikes destroyed six ISIS tunnels.

Previous Strikes

Additionally, 18 strikes consisting of 31 engagements were conducted in Syria on Sept. 11 that closed within the last 24 hours.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed four ISIS fighting positions.

-- Near Raqqa, 16 strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed 17 fighting positions and a logistics node.

-- Near Shadaddi, a strike destroyed an ISIS staging area.

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