U.S., Dutch forces strike Islamic State fighters in 9 airstrikes

USPA News - American military forces have carried out six more airstrikes against Islamic State targets near the besieged Syrian border city of Kobani, while U.S. and Dutch forces struck additional targets in northern Iraq, the U.S. military said on Saturday. Four of the U.S. airstrikes, carried out by bomber and fighter aircraft, struck various Islamic State targets north of Kobani, U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

The airstrikes struck an ISIS fighting position, destroyed a staging building, damaged a command and control facility and struck two small ISIS units. Two other airstrikes were carried out south of Kobani and destroyed three trucks which were being used by the jihadists. In northwestern Iraq, U.S. and Dutch forces carried out an airstrike north of the city of Tal Afar, destroying an armed vehicle used by ISIS. Two additional airstrikes northwest of Hit, a city in Anbar province, struck two small Islamic State units, U.S. Central Command said, adding that all aircraft exited safely. Information about casualties from any of the airstrikes was not immediately available. "These strikes were conducted as part of [President Obama`s] comprehensive strategy to degrade and destroy ISIL," the U.S. military said. "The destruction of targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group`s ability to lead, control, project power and conduct operations." In addition to military airstrikes, U.S. forces have also conducted multiple airdrops near the northern Iraqi city of Baiji since Friday to resupply Iraqi security forces operating in the area. The aircraft delivered 36 container delivery system bundles containing 7,328 halal meals, 2,065 gallons (7,816 liters) of water, and 16,000 pounds (7,257 kilograms) of ammunition. U.S. Central Command said the airdrops are intended to support Iraqi security forces which remain in control of the city but are surrounded by Islamic State fighters. The Islamic State (IS), which was previously known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS), is an al-Qaeda splinter group which declared itself an Islamic caliphate earlier this year after seizing much of northeastern Syria and making huge gains in parts of Iraq. Their rule has been marked by brutal violence - such as beheadings and crucifixions - of anyone opposing the "caliphate." Since early August, U.S. forces have carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Iraq to protect U.S. interests and to assist Iraqi forces as they attempt to fight off ISIS. A coalition of countries - including France, the United Kingdom, and Australia - have since joined that effort. The United States - along with several Arab countries - have also launched a separate air campaign against ISIS in northern Syria.