US launches more airstrikes against IS in Syria, Iraq

Washington, Oct 10 (IANS/EFE) The US armed forces have carried out six more airstrikes on the Islamic State (IS) strongholds in Syria, concentrated around the northern Kurdish city of Kobani, and two attacks in Iraq.

According to the US Central Command (Centcom), between Wednesday and Thursday, five strikes were carried out to the south of the city, destroying a support building and two vehicles, and also damaging two combat units; while the sixth occurred in a northern district of the city.

In Iraq, an airstrike south of Sinjar city destroyed a bunker, an ammunition cache and a small combat unit, while a second strike to the south of Mount Sinjar destroyed an armoured vehicle and another small IS unit.

Centcom said Thursday that it was continuing to observe the situation in Kobani, adding that there were indications that Kurdish forces continue to control a major part of the city.

The IS terrorists have been attacking Kobani for a little over three weeks, a few days after the international coalition began bombing IS positions in Syria.

In the last few weeks, Kurdish irregulars have been battling IS militants in and around Kobani. However, they have not been able to prevent the extremists from taking over a third of the city.

"I am fearful that Kobani will fall," said Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is in contact with Turkish authorities who have deployed forces along their border to prevent IS advancement into their territory.

--IANS/EFE

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