U.S.-led coalition airstrikes destroy several ISIL targets

U.S.-led coalition forces attacked more Islamic State militants late last week in Syria and Iraq as part of Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, through a mix of piloted and drone airstrikes.

The U.S. and 12 other allied nations took part in this latest effort. In Syria, drones hit various militant tactical units and destroyed an Islamic State vehicle. Those strikes also destroyed an enemy weapons cache.

Other strikes in Syria targeted construction equipment used by ISIL to fortify its positions, demolishing excavators and bulldozers.

In Iraq, a combination of drones, bombers and fighter aircraft conducted 28 separate strikes in cooperation with the Iraqi government, hitting Islamic State machine-gun positions, an explosives cache, an ISIL bunker, command centers, assembly areas and tactical units. Several vehicles were destroyed, as well as car bombs, a tunnel and six ISIL-controlled bridges.

Operation Inherent Resolve also flew four airstrike missions on Christmas Day, destroying various ISIL assets, including an anti-aircraft gun and two houses the extremist group had rigged with explosives. The strikes also took out roads to deny Islamic State fighters access to terrain.

Coalition members conducting strikes last week include the U.S., Denmark,  United Kingdom, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Bahrain, Australia and Turkey. The air campaign is aimed at limiting the reach and operations of Islamic State extremists.