U.S. Confirms Renewed Wave of Airstrikes Against Islamic State
Julian E. Barnes
Wall Street Journal, October 18, 2014
WASHINGTON—The U.S. military announced Saturday a renewed wave of airstrikes in Syria that aim to degrade Islamic State’s ability to refine and sell oil—a major source of financing for the extremist group.
Many of the strikes, which took place Friday and Saturday, were aimed at oil production facilities and oil collection points held by the militants.One strike damaged a modular oil refinery southeast of Dayr Az Zawr, according to the U.S. Seven strikes took place east of Dhiban and were aimed at destroying crude oil collection and another modular oil refinery.
Another three strikes took place northeast of Khasham and hit another collection point. An additional strike took place east of Sharra, aimed at another modular oil refinery.
The Associated Press, citing activist groups, reported that one airstrike hit a gas distribution facility in Khasham, in oil-rich Deir el-Zour province, setting off secondary explosions and killing at least eight people.
The airstrikes are the second time the U.S. has focused a round of attacks on Islamic State’s ability to refine and sell oil.
“These airstrikes were designed to interdict ISIL financing by degrading and destroying their oil producing, collecting, storage and transportation infrastructure,” U.S. Central Command said, using a common acronym for Islamic State.
Fighter and bomber aircraft also hit Islamic State fighting positions near Kobani, which has in recent weeks been the primary focus of American air operations.
Military officials said Friday that they were receiving intelligence from Kurdish fighters to help hone the effectiveness of the strikes, which have helped to prevent Islamic State from taking over the city, primarily made up of Syrian Kurds.
ENLARGE
The U.S. also conducted 10 strikes in Iraq. Five occurred south and west of Beiji, where Iraq’s largest oil refinery is located. The strikes were aimed at Islamic State armed vehicles, machine guns, guard shacks and a building used by the group.
The remaining five occurred west of Mosul dam. The U.S. said a Humvee and a heavy machine gun were destroyed. The strikes also damaged a building used by Islamic State militants and struck three small ground units.
ENLARGE
One of the sites in Douma that activists say was his by forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad over the weekend. Reuters
Julian E. Barnes
Wall Street Journal, October 18, 2014
WASHINGTON—The U.S. military announced Saturday a renewed wave of airstrikes in Syria that aim to degrade Islamic State’s ability to refine and sell oil—a major source of financing for the extremist group.
Many of the strikes, which took place Friday and Saturday, were aimed at oil production facilities and oil collection points held by the militants.One strike damaged a modular oil refinery southeast of Dayr Az Zawr, according to the U.S. Seven strikes took place east of Dhiban and were aimed at destroying crude oil collection and another modular oil refinery.
Another three strikes took place northeast of Khasham and hit another collection point. An additional strike took place east of Sharra, aimed at another modular oil refinery.
The Associated Press, citing activist groups, reported that one airstrike hit a gas distribution facility in Khasham, in oil-rich Deir el-Zour province, setting off secondary explosions and killing at least eight people.
The airstrikes are the second time the U.S. has focused a round of attacks on Islamic State’s ability to refine and sell oil.
“These airstrikes were designed to interdict ISIL financing by degrading and destroying their oil producing, collecting, storage and transportation infrastructure,” U.S. Central Command said, using a common acronym for Islamic State.
Fighter and bomber aircraft also hit Islamic State fighting positions near Kobani, which has in recent weeks been the primary focus of American air operations.
Military officials said Friday that they were receiving intelligence from Kurdish fighters to help hone the effectiveness of the strikes, which have helped to prevent Islamic State from taking over the city, primarily made up of Syrian Kurds.
ENLARGEThe U.S. also conducted 10 strikes in Iraq. Five occurred south and west of Beiji, where Iraq’s largest oil refinery is located. The strikes were aimed at Islamic State armed vehicles, machine guns, guard shacks and a building used by the group.
The remaining five occurred west of Mosul dam. The U.S. said a Humvee and a heavy machine gun were destroyed. The strikes also damaged a building used by Islamic State militants and struck three small ground units.
ENLARGEOne of the sites in Douma that activists say was his by forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad over the weekend. Reuters
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