Pentagon details latest counter-ISIL operations

The Defense Department provided details today on its latest efforts to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, highlighting new efforts to enhance the United States' partnership with France on the heels of attacks in Paris.

Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, director of Pentagon press operations, told reporters this morning that a newly touted plan for enhanced intelligence sharing with France “does predate” the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, “but it was certainly accelerated over the weekend in the wake of Paris.”

Davis said the new intelligence sharing agreement “removes a lot of procedural limitations” and will enable France to be “more involved in the targeting process for coalition airstrikes.”

A Nov. 15 airstrike near Raqqa, Syria, hit targets “nominated by France based on information” provided by the United States under the new special instructions, Davis said.

Davis also offered an update on Operation Tidal Wave II, which aims to disrupt ISIL's oil revenues as they are “inextricably linked” to the group's capacity to conduct acts of terrorism.

“Last night, the coalition destroyed 116 tanker trucks using A-10s and AC-130 Spectre gunships” in a bid to “attack the distribution component of ISIL's oil smuggling operation,” he said.

Davis noted that the coalition strove to minimize the risk of civilian casualties, distributing leaflets and engaging in a “show of force ahead of time” to give those unaffiliated with ISIL an opportunity to leave the area.

In addition, Davis said the French naval carrier Charles de Gaulle is expected to be “on scene supporting the coalition in short order.”

Meanwhile, U.S. European Command has implemented travel restrictions for France impacting all DOD personnel. Non-official travel to Paris is prohibited, while travel to areas outside of Paris would require “a higher level of approval,” Davis said. He noted that DOD facilities in the homeland have been operating at an elevated force protection level since May.