U.S., Allied Air Strikes Focus On Iraq

The U.S.-led coalition that is targeting the Islamic State (ID) militants carried out 13 air strikes in Syria and Iraq in the past 24-hour period ending on April 19.

U.S. officials in the Combined Joint Task Force said in a statement that 12 of the strikes were in Iraq while only one was in Syria.

The statement said the air strikes hit IS tactical units, sniper positions, weapons, and vehicles and buildings near the Iraqi cities of Bayji, Fallujah, Kirkuk, Ramadi, and Sinjar.

It added that near the Syrian city of Al-Hasakah, an air strike destroyed an Islamic State fighting position.

The coalition has been carrying out strikes since September in a bid to reverse the gains made by IS fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Coalition officials say the IS has been stopped and pushed back in many areas due to a combination of air strikes and attacks by Iraqi security forces.

Based on reporting by Reuters