Special to WorldTribune.com

The U.S. Marines launched a series of air strikes on Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) targets in Iraq on Nov. 19, the Pentagon said.

The strikes were said to be part of the Obama administration’s vow to escalate its air campaign in the wake of the Paris terror attacks. The Pentagon said thousands of U.S. Marines and sailors have moved into the Persian Gulf.

The Nov. 19 air strikes were carried out by AV-8B Harriers based on the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge. The strikes were in support of a Kurdish ground offensive that seized the city of Sinjar and broke a key ISIL supply line.

According to Airwars.org, which maintains records on U.S.-led coalition strikes, the Nov. 19 attacks hit ISIL positions in and around Kirkuk, Kisik, Mosul, Ramadi and Sinjar. The report said the strikes destroyed at least a dozen tactical units, several weapons and vehicles, a tunnel, a bridge and at least two roads.

U.S. officials are said to be debating whether sea-based air assets should play a larger role in the fight against ISIL. The last sea-based air strikes were carried out in mid-October, when the Essex Amphibious Ready Group was in the region.

The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier is scheduled to arrive in the Persian Gulf next month.

  AV-8B Harriers, Kurdish fighters, Sinjar, U.S. Marines send attack jets against ISIL fighters in Iraq, WorldTribune.com