US-Led Coalition Conducts 33 Strikes Against Daesh Near Raqqa, Syria

One strike in Syria near Deir ez-Zor engaged a Daesh tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US-led coalition against Daesh terrorist group (ISIS/ISIL/IS) in Iraq and Syria carried out 38 strikes consisting of 51 engagements, including 33 strikes near the Syrian city of Raqqa on Thursday, the Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said in a press release.

"Near Raqqah, 33 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions, four command and control nodes, three ISIS communication nodes, two IEDs [improvised explosive devices], a logistics node and an ISIS [Islamic State] communication facility," the release stated on Friday.

In Iraq, four strikes were conducted near Rawah and Tal Afar, destroying Islamic State warehouses, explosives factory, tunnel entrances, a command and control node and engaged two Daesh units, the release added.

The release also noted that 18 strikes consisting of 21 engagement were conducted in Syria and Iran on August 9, including 16 near Raqqa, Syria and two near Kisik, Iraq. These strikes engaged multiple Daesh units, destroyed more than a dozen fighting positions, four headquarters buildings, a heavy machine gun and a mortar system.

The US-led coalition of more than 70 members is conducting airstrikes, ground-based and rocket-propelled artillery fire against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. The strikes in Iraq are conducted in support of the Iraqi government, but those in Syria are not authorized by the UN Security Council or the government of President Bashar Assad.