US Coalition Launches 26 Airstrikes Against Daesh in Syria, Iraq

The US-led coalition launched 26 airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq as part of its campaign to destroy the terrorist group, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Friday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 20 strikes using attack, fighter, bomber and remotely piloted aircraft," the statement noted.

The airstrikes in Syria targeted oil and gas separation plants, an oil field well head, tactical units and tactical vehicles, according to CENTCOM.

"Separately in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted six strikes coordinated with and in support of the Government of Iraq using bomber, fighter, and attack aircraft against ISIL [Islamic State] targets," the statement added.

The aerial attacks in Iraq hit heavy machine guns, anti-air artillery pieces, fighting and sniper positions.

The US-led coalition of some 65 nations has been carrying out airstrikes against Islamic State (Daesh) targets in Iraq since August 2014, and in Syria since September 2014, but without the approval of the Syrian government or the UN Security Council.