US-Led Coalition Conducts 29 Anti-Daesh Strikes in Iraq, Syria

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US-led coalition against the Islamic State terrorist group, also known as Daesh, conducted 29 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on Thursday destroying the terrorists’ positions and infrastructure, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a press release.

"In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 14 strikes using bomber, ground-attack, attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL [Islamic State] targets," the release stated on Friday. "Additionally in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL targets."

The coalition airstrikes in Syria took place near cities of Raqqa and Mara, with particular focus on Manbij, where the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), backed by the United States, have begun an offensive against the terrorists.

The strikes, including 10 near Manbij, hit Islamic State’s tactical units, fighting positions, an oil pump jack and an artillery system, according to CENTCOM.

The US-led coalition also conducted its airstrikes near six Iraqi cities to the north and west of Baghdad, including four airstrikes in Fallujah and four strikes in Mosul. The strikes destroyed multiple Daesh tactical units, and fighting positions, as well as mortar systems, terrorists’ headquarters and an explosives factory.

The Islamic State is a terrorist group outlawed in the United States, Russia and numerous other countries. The infamous group has seized large areas in Syria and Iraq and declared a caliphate on territories under its control.

The US-led coalition of more than 60 nations has been carrying out airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq since summer 2014.