Tens of Islamic State members killed as fighter jets shell Iraqi-Syrian borders
Iraqi Sukhoi fighter jets. File photo.
Speaking to Almaalomah website, the source said “the fighter jets began a shelling operation, which is the strongest, against Islamic State holdouts along the Iraqi-Syrian borders, west of Anbar, amid news on killing of tens of Islamic State members, including leaders and emirs from different nationalities.”
The shelling, according to the source, who preferred anonymity, “included different regions from the desert of Qaim, west of Anbar, reaching to Al-Bu Kamal in Syria and nearby regions.”
The airstrikes “left tens of Islamic State members killed, while many machine guns and vehicles as well as tunnels and weapon stashes were destroyed.”
The Iraqi-Syrian borders are under the control of joint troops of military and border guards.
Iraqi warplanes launched, last month, a new wave of air raids against outposts of the Islamic State group in Syria.
In April, 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.