U.S.-led coalition hits 24 ISIL targets in 15 Iraq cities

Special to WorldTribune.com

The U.S.-led coalition on March 7 struck 24 Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) targets in 15 cities.

The coalition hit 17 ISIL targets in 12 Iraqi locations, including eight tactical units, two headquarters and numerous fighting positions, the Combined Joint Task Force said. The air strikes also hit several weapons and supply caches, the task force said.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Turkey's Incirlik Air Base.
An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base.

In Syria, seven strikes near three cities targeted four ISIL tactical units as well as an improvised explosive device in a house and a gas and oil separation plant modular refinery, among other targets, according to the coalition.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon on March 7 denied recent reports that the U.S. is building two airfields in northern Syria as part of the battle against ISIL.

“We are not building or operating any air bases in Syria,” Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters.

Syrian military and security officials have said the U.S. was expanding an airfield in Rmeilan, in Hasakeh province, and new reports have surfaced of a base near the Kurdish city of Kobane.

The Pentagon has acknowledged there are about 50 U.S. special operations forces on the ground in northern Syria, helping train and equip local anti-ISIL fighters.

“That we have people there and that we have made deliveries there, and that they have to get there by some means should be no secret, but we are not going to comment on the means,” Davis said.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login