Iraqi military says airstrike against Islamic State in Syria foiled terrorist scheme
Representational photo.
“The Iraqi air force fired missiles through the F-16 jets against IS locations in Syria,” Brig. Gen. Yahia Rasool, speaker of the command and the Security Media Center.
The jets, according to Rasool, “targeted a location for the terrorists that has been watched for a while, in coordination with Syrian government.”
He added that “a haven used as for meetings of the militants was shelled.”
“The militants were planning for terrorist operations in Iraq,” he added. “The command awaits announcing the outcome of the strike as well as number and names of the victims killed during the strike, south of al-Desheisha region, located eight kilometers away from the Iraqi-Syrian borders.”
The Iraqi fighters will strike the militants “inside Syria in case any threats were encountered,” Rasool added.
On Sunday, Iraqi warplanes launched a new wave of air raids against outposts of the Islamic State group in Syria.
In April, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi denied intentions to intervene within Syrian affairs, saying airstrikes against Islamic State will continue.
Iraq had previously announced launching airstrikes against IS locations in Syria. This came after Abadi said security troops will follow IS militants in the whole region, not only in Iraq.
The Iraqi-Syrian borders are under the control of joint troops of military and border guards.
Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country.