Coalition aircraft continue to pound Islamic State positions in Raqqah
By Bill Roggio | January 2nd, 2017 | admin@longwarjournal.org | @billroggio
Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTFOIR), the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, has doubled down in hammering Islamic State military assets and infrastructure in and around Raqqah, the seat of its Syrian caliphate. US and allied aircraft have launched 52 strikes near Raqqah – more three times the number of attacks in Mosul over the past five days.
The targets of the strikes include tactical units, fighting positions, weapons systems such as machine guns, mortars, and car bombs (or VBIEDs), a command and control node, oil infrastructure, construction equipment, a bridge, and supply routes.
For the time being, Raqqah has become the most significant target in the air campaign in Iraq and Syria. Since Dec. 20, Raqqah has even eclipsed Mosul, the largest city under Islamic State control where Iraqi forces are battling to regain control of the city, as the primary focus of Coalition air power. For comparison, the US launched 20 airstrikes against the Islamic State in and around Mosul as opposed to 52 strikes in Raqaah from Dec. 28 to Jan. 1.
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/01/coalition-aircraft-continue-to-pound-islamic-state-positions-in-raqqah.php
