U.S. and coalition forces have carried out airstrikes in Iraq over the past week, including killing Islamic State fighters hiding in caves and capturing a cell leader in Syria, officials said Monday. did.
According to U.S. Central Command, the airstrikes took place in the Hamrin Mountains in northeastern Iraq from December 30 to Monday, targeting ISIS strongholds.
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A masked Islamic State terrorist poses with an ISIS flag in 2015. (History/Universal Images Group, via Getty Images)
“Coordinated operations like this are critical to maintaining pressure on ISIS and preventing terrorist groups from taking advantage of the region's rapidly changing security environment,” said Gen. Michael Eric Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM. said.
“The lasting defeat of ISIS is a global effort that depends on our coalition, allies, and partners. U.S. Central Command is committed to aggressively pursuing these terrorists who threaten our region, our allies, and our people. “We remain committed to,” he added.
Centcom said in a statement that the strikes were aimed at disrupting the terrorist group's ability to organize and attack civilians as well as U.S. citizens and regional allies.
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Iraqi soldiers celebrate by raising the flag of the Islamic State militant group captured during a military operation to retake control of a village on the outskirts of Mosul, Iraq, on November 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban, File)
“During the operation, ISIS fighters engaged coalition forces on several occasions, resulting in coalition airstrikes,” Centcom said.
At one point, jets were used to eliminate ISIS fighters hiding in caves, officials said.
One coalition member was killed and two others from different countries were wounded. No U.S. military personnel were injured, and there were no reports of damage to U.S. military equipment.
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Additionally, on January 2-3, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with support from CENTCOM forces captured an ISIS cell leader during an operation near Deir Ezzor, Syria.
