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Video by Senior Airman Delaney Gonzales, Staff Sgt. Daniel Herman

Coalition Aircraft Destroy ISIS Tunnel and Cave Complex

Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve

April 29, 2020 | 0:51

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Coalition forces conducted airstrikes on Daesh fighters hiding in 10 caves across the Hamrin Mountains, Iraq, April 29, 2020.

The Hamrin Mountains are a known Daesh safe haven with intricate tunnel and cave systems used to smuggle weapons, facilitate senior leader movements and plot terrorist attacks in the region. Daesh senior leaders and their operatives have used the rugged mountains as one of their last remaining operating areas in Iraq.

“The presence of Daesh in Iraq continues to diminish, thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of our Iraqi partner forces,” said Maj Gen. Eric Hill, commanding general, Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. “Strikes like these help our Iraqi partners maintain relentless pressure on the Daesh scourge, no matter where these terrorists hide.”

Removing Daesh fighters and mid-level operatives from the battlefield further degrades their ability to resurge and plot terrorist attacks against innocent civilians, our Iraqi partners, and Coalition troops.

The airstrikes were conducted in coordination with the Government of Iraq. After the strikes, the 14th Iraqi Army Division and security forces found ISIS documents, electronic devices, and fragments of weapons and other equipment. The ground search continues; much of the cave complex is inaccessible, post-strike. Initial estimates are 5-10 Daesh fighters were killed; this number may be revised based on follow-on searches.

The Coalition and Iraqi security partners will continue to target and pursue Daesh fighters across Iraq. The Coalition and our partners remain committed to the defeat of ISIS in Iraq. (Courtesy video)