home Security Counter Terror The international campaign against ISIS – First Half of January 2015

The international campaign against ISIS – First Half of January 2015

Jan 22, 2015

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In Iraq and Syria, the fighting continued in the known locations, although the intensity of the fighting decreased due to the stormy weather. In Kobani (Ayn al-Arab) and Deir al-Zor, Syria, the fighting is still ongoing. In Iraq, ISIS is making an effort to tighten its control over the Mosul area and the area south of Kirkuk.

Attacks by the US and the coalition in Syria and Iraq:

U.S. and coalition airstrikes in Syria and Iraq continued during the week. This week, U.S. and coalition aircraft carried out dozens of airstrikes in Syria and Iraq using fighter planes, bombers and unmanned aircraft. Following are the locations of the airstrikes (CENTCOM website):

Syria– this week as well, the airstrikes were concentrated in Kobani (Ayn al-Arab) and Al-Hasakah. The airstrikes in Syria destroyed battle positions, deployment areas and oil facilities controlled by ISIS
Iraq– the airstrikes were carried out in a number of locations, including Tal Afar, Kirkuk, Fallujah, Al-Assad, Sinjar, Irbil, Ramadi and Mosul. Among other things, the airstrikes destroyed a bridge controlled by ISIS, car bombs, vehicles, and checkpoints, and killed a number of operatives.

According to the Pentagon spokesman, between August 2014 and January 7, 2015, airstrikes by the coalition forces in Syria and Iraq destroyed or damaged 3,222 targets. The targets attacked included 58 tanks, 184 Humvees, 36 APCs and 394 other vehicles. Other targets attacked included 79 artillery pieces, 52 bunkers, 29 checkpoints, 637 positions, 980 buildings, 259 oil facilities and more (Reuters, January 7, 2015).

In Lebanon, the Al-Nusra Front carried out a suicide bombing attack in an Alawi neighborhood in Tripoli (nine dead and around 30 injured). On the Iraq-Saudi Arabia border, ISIS operatives attacked a patrol of the Saudi border police. The attack included both shooting and a suicide bombing attack.

Fighting between the forces of the Syrian regime and ISIS operatives in the area of the Deir al-Zor airfield continues. Syrian security forces and members of the Al-Shueitat tribe, who live in East Syria, reportedly joined forces in fighting off ISIS and managed to kill dozens of ISIS operatives. At the same time, the Syrian Air Force attacked ISIS positions and caused losses (Al-Watan, January 7, 2015).
On the other hand, it was reported that ISIS had permitted some members of the Al-Shueitat tribe, who cooperate with the Syrian regime, to return to their homes. This was after they promised to refrain from fighting against ISIS and to recognize the authority of the Islamic Caliphate. As part of this promise, ISIS ordered them to hand over their weapons (YouTube, January 11, 2015).

Written by: The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center