US, partners continue airstrikes against IS in Iraq, Syria

WASHINGTON (Xinhua) - The US and coalition partners have conducted more than two dozens of airstrikes against targets of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq in the past two days, the Pentagon said Saturday.

US and coalition forces launched 13 airstrikes in Syria with fighter jets, bombers and unmanned aircraft, the Pentagon said.

Near the Kurdish city of Ayn al-Arab, 12 airstrikes hit eight IS tactical units and a large IS unit, destroying an IS vehicle, a building, and eight IS fighting positions. An IS mobile oil drilling rig was destroyed by another airstrike near Al Hasakah.

At the same time, US and coalition forces conducted 13 airstrikes in Iraq. Seven strikes destroyed an IS weapons production facility near Al Qaim, an IS culvert and an IS vehicle near Mosul, and an IS vehicle near Ramadi.

Near Tal Afar, five airstrikes destroyed an IS building, six vehicles, a bunker, two shipping containers, and two checkpoints. Another airstrike destroyed an IS shipping container, two vehicles, and three earth moving vehicles near Erbil, according to the Pentagon.

The airstrikes were conducted as part of the Operation Inherent Resolve, which is aimed at eliminating the IS terror group.

Coalition nations launching airstrikes in Iraq include the US, Australia, Britain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France and the Netherlands, while the nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the US, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.