"In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 16 strikes using bomber, fighter, attack and remotely piloted aircraft against Daesh targets," the release stated on Thursday. "Additionally in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using rocket artillery and bomber, fighter, ground-attack, and remotely piloted aircraft against Daesh targets."
In Syria, the coalition destroyed an Islamic State tactical unit and vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) factory as well as oil pump jacks and a vehicle near Raqqa, the release stated. Near Manbij, 11 strikes hit ten positions and destroyed the group’s fighting positions, vehicles and a mortar system. An additional fighting position was damaged.
In Iraq, the coalition carried out 18 strikes near ten cities, including Fallujah, where two airstrikes destroyed 23 Daesh fighting positions, weapons, a supply cache, rocket propelled grenade system and machine guns, according to CENTCOM.
Iraqi Security Forces and Shia militias, backed by US airstrikes, launched the offensive to retake Fallujah on May 22.
The US-led coalition of more than 60 nations has been carrying out airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq since the summer of 2014. The strikes in Syria are conducted without the approval of the country’s legitimate government of President Bashar Assad or the UN Security Council.
