ARA News

Damascus, Syria – The U.S.-led international coalition carried out intensive airstrikes against militants of the Islamic State (IS/ISIS) in Syria and Iraq in the past 48 hours, the United States Central Command reported. 

The coalition’s warplanes conducted 10 strikes against strongholds of the radical group in Syria, and 25 other strikes in Iraq since Sunday.

The intensified strikes caused destruction of IS-manned armored vehicles as well as tactical units. The statement couldn’t indicate the number of militants killed during the recent operations. 

The airstrikes in Syria were concentrated on the countryside of Hasakah, where at least four fighting positions and a checkpoint held by IS extremists were destroyed, beside targeting weapons arsenal of the group in the area. 

The anti-IS raid in Iraq were conducted near Bayji, Mosul, Fallujah and Baghdad, according to the U.S. military. 

In the meantime, the Kurdish forces reported gains in Syria’s Hasakah, regaining several villages and the strategic mountain of Abdulaziz.

Speaking to ARA News, the Kurdish fighter in the ranks of the People’s Protection Units (YPG), Chiya Helkore, commented on the regaining of Mount Abdulaziz saying: “We earlier tried to regain the mountain but our attempts failed as the group was planning ambush for our fighters at the frontline. Then the coalition’s warplanes targeted their (ISIS) headquarters there, which allowed our forces to advance more quickly and liberate the mountain.”

“The U.S.-led airstrikes also help minimize our losses when we progress on the ground,” he said. 

Reporting by: Laila Majdalawi