US-Led Coalition Launches 32 Airstrikes Against Islamic State

In Syria the US-led coalition military forces conducted nine airstrikes using fighter, fighter-attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft, separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 23 airstrikes, according to the US Central Command.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US-led coalition against the Islamic State deployed 32 airstrikes in Syria and Iraq to destroy the terrorist group’s forces and infrastructure, the US Central Command said in a release on Tuesday.

“In Syria, coalition military forces conducted nine airstrikes using fighter, fighter-attack, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft,” the release said. “Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 23 airstrikes.”

In Syria, US Central Command said airstrikes eliminated five Islamic State tactical units, four fighting positions, a staging position, a bunker and a structure near Al Hasakah as well as two tactical units, seven fighting positions, and a bunker near Aleppo.

The US Central Command said airstrikes in Iraq eliminated 14 tactical units, 28 fighting positions, numerous structures and tunnels as well as vehicles in Al Qaim, Bayji, Habbaniyah, Haditha, Makhmur, Mosul, Ramadi, Sinjar and Tal Afar.

The 62-nation coalition began carrying out airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq in August 2014, and expanded the air campaign to Syria in September 2014, but without Syrian government approval. The coalition has conducted more than 5200 airstrikes.

The airstrikes aim to eliminate the Islamic State, according to the release.