US-Led Coalition Against Daesh Carries Out 22 Airstrikes in Iraq, Syria

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) conducted 22 airstrikes in Syria and Iraq resulting in the destruction of the terrorist group’s infrastructure, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a press release on Friday.

"In Syria, coalition military forces conducted nine strikes using attack, ground-attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL [Islamic State] targets," CENTCOM stated. "Additionally in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 13 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and fighter, attack, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets."

Nine airstrikes near five Syrian cities, including Hawl and Raqqa, were carried out on Thursday, and destroyed Daesh tactical units, buildings and a workover rig, according to the release.

The coalition on Thursday conducted 13 airstrikes near six Iraqi cities to the north and west of Baghdad, including Ramadi, Sinjar and Mosul. The strikes destroyed multiple Daesh tactical units and fighting positions, as well as other targets, such as Daesh rocket rails and a weapons storage facility.

The Islamic State, also known as Daesh, is a terrorist group outlawed in the United States, Russia and many other countries; it has seized large areas in Syria and Iraq and declared a caliphate on territories under its control. The US-led coalition has been conducting an aerial campaign against IS terrorists since 2014.