US, partners continue bombing IS in Syria, Iraq

Washington, March 22: The US and coalition forces continued their air raids on Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria and Iraq during the last 48 hours since Friday. The forces used bombers, fighters and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a total of 10 airstrikes between Friday morning and Saturday morning local time, Xinhua reported. Initial assessment showed the destruction of nine of the extremist group’s fighting positions, one vehicle, one large machine gun, and one machine gun near the Syrian town of Kobane. Seven airstrikes were launched inside Iraq that led to one rocket site, two armoured vehicles, one fighting position and three tactical units being destroyed, the coalition said. The strikes took place near Mosul, Kirkuk and Ramadi. The IS announced in June last year the establishment of a caliphate in areas under its control in Syria and Iraq. Australia, Belgium, Cada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and Britain are among countries that have joined the US-led air bombing in Iraq, while Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are supporting Washington in Syria. (IANS)