U.S.-led coalition strikes ISIS targets in 17 more airstrikes

USPA News - The United States and its coalition partners have carried out another 17 airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and northern Syria over the past few days, striking jihadist units and destroying buildings, vehicles and equipment, U.S. military officials said on Wednesday. Most of the airstrikes since Monday were carried out near the Turkish-Syrian border, where Islamic State militants have been fighting for weeks to capture the northern Syrian city of Kobani.

Ten airstrikes near Kobani struck a fighting position, a large unit, two tactical units, and destroyed four staging areas and six fighting positions, U.S. Central Command said. In Iraq, near Mosul, which is the largest city under the control of the Islamic State, two airstrikes struck a large unit and destroyed three buildings, two vehicles and a bulldozer. Two additional airstrikes near the city of Kirkuk struck two units and destroyed a tank, a U.S.-made Humvee, and a vehicle. Other airstrikes were carried out near Sinjar, Ramadi, and Bayji, destroying a Humvee and two vehicles while damaging a third vehicle and damaging a checkpoint. All units, buildings and equipment targeted by the coalition airstrikes were allegedly being used by Islamic State militants, but details about casualties were not available. "The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the terrorist group ISIL and the threat they pose to Iraq, the region and the wider international community," U.S. Central Command said in a statement. "The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group`s ability to project power and conduct operations." The Islamic State (IS), which was previously known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS), is an al-Qaeda splinter group which declared itself an Islamic caliphate earlier this year after seizing much of northeastern Syria and making huge gains in parts of Iraq. Their rule has been marked by brutal violence - such as beheadings and crucifixions - of anyone opposing the "caliphate." Since early August, U.S. forces have carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Iraq to protect U.S. interests and to assist Iraqi forces as they attempt to fight off ISIS. A coalition of countries - including France, the United Kingdom, and Australia - later joined that effort. The United States - along with several Arab countries - has also launched a separate air campaign against ISIS in northern Syria.