US Coalition Launches Strikes in Syria, Iraq Targeting ISIL Oil Plants

The US-led coalition forces launched 31 airstrikes against ISIL terrorists in Iraq and in Syria, targeting gas and oil plants, the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve announced in a release on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The coalition airstrikes carried out in Syria on Monday targeted ISIL tactical units, fighting positions, oil and gas separation plants, a crude oil main pump station as well as vehicle borne explosives.

"In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 15 strikes using bomber, fighter, attack, and remotely piloted aircraft," the release said. "Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, fighter, and attack aircraft against ISIL [Islamic State] targets."

In Iraq, the airstrikes hit ISIL weapons caches, machine gun positions, homemade explosives caches, heavy machine guns as well as a command and control node, the release added.

Meanwhile, Russia has continued its airstrikes in Syria in coordination with the Syrian government. The Russian Defense Ministry said Monday that its attack aircraft had carried out 137 combat missions in the past three days hitting over 400 terrorist targets in at least seven Syrian provinces.