US-led Coalition Conducts 22 Airstrikes Against Islamic State

The US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) conducted 22 airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve said in a statement on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The airstrikes in Syria destroyed two IS tunnel systems, multiple fighting positions and several vehicles, according to the anti-IS coalition.

The airstrikes in Iraq destroyed an IS pontoon bridge, weaponry, a bunker and fighting units.

“In Syria, coalition military forces conducted six airstrikes using bomber, attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft,” the anti-IS coalition said. “Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted 16 airstrikes approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense using attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft against ISIL terrorists.”

The Islamic State experienced a major setback this week after Syrian Kurdish forces backed by coalition airstrikes took over strategic border city Tal Abyad on the Turkish border.

The Kurdish forces then moved south on the road to the IS capital of Raqqa. Tal Abyad was a major transit point for supplies, weapons and foreign fighters for the terrorist group.

The US-led Combined Joint Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve has carried out more than 4,000 airstrikes against the Islamic State since August 2014.