US-Led Coalition Launched 27 Airstrikes on 76 IS Targets Over Weekend

The US-led anti-IS coalition carried out 27 airstrikes on 76 targets across Iraq and Syria on Saturday.

MOSCOW, February 1 (Sputnik) - US-led anti-Islamic State coalition carried out 27 airstrikes against 76 targets on Saturday, Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS Brett McGurk noted on Sunday.

The targets of the strikes were reported to include an IED-producing factory in Tal Afar, northwest Iraq, as well as IS formations around the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, including bunkers, armored vehicles and artillery. 12 strikes were also conducted on Syrian territory, including 8 reportedly aimed at IS units operating around Kobani, recently liberated by Kurdish forces.

Last 24 hrs in #Iraq & #Syria: 27 airstrikes against 76 #ISIL targets, incl. VBIED factory in Tal Afar & large ISIL units near #Kirkuk.

— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) 31 января 2015

Airstrikes last weekend are reported to have killed Abu Malik, believed to have been carrying out chemical weapons-related training for the militant group. IS is not believed to possess a chemical weapons arsenal, although there have been reports of the group using chlorine gas, considered a "choking agent," in attacks, AFP explained.

US-led anti-IS coalition forces have been carrying out airstrikes against IS targets in Iraq and Syria since August, 2014. The efforts are believed to have killed over 6,000 IS fighters.