The Iraqi Air Force has for the first time carried out airstrikes on positions of the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said that he delivered an order to carry out airstrikes on positions of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Reuters news agency reported on Friday.
“We gave orders to the air force command to strike Islamic State positions in [the Iraqi town of] Hosaiba and Albu Kamal inside Syrian territory as they [terrorists] were responsible for recent bombings in Baghdad,” Reuters quoted the words of al-Abadi.
According to the Prime Minister, Iraqi military have already conducted the operation.
“The heroes of the sky executed the operation and responded to the terrorists with amazing success,” al-Abadi noted.
Reportedly, the airstrikes were carried out by the F16 fighter jets on Friday morning. As a result, a headquarters of the terrorist group, located in Albu Kamal, was destroyed.
“The strikes targeted Islamic State’s headquarters used for making car bombs in Albu Kamal… after Iraqi intelligence received tips from their sources inside Syria,” a senior security official told Reuters.
According to reports, the US supported the operation, providing intelligence to Iraqi military.
“Yes we were aware, yes we supported it as well with information,” the news agency quoted the words of spokesman for the Pentagon, Captain Jeff Davis. “It is a good strike, it is a valid strike, it was a strike against ISIS targets.”
As Reuters and the Al Watan newspaper reported, citing unnamed sources close to the Syrian Foreign Ministry, the airstrikes had been carried out in “complete coordination” with the Syrian government.
It was the first time, when the Iraqi Air Force has conducted such aerial raids across the border.
Last week, IS terrorists carried out attacks in two neighborhoods of Baghdad, predominantly populated by Shiites. On February 15, a bomb-laden vehicle exploded in Madinat as-Sadr neighborhood, killing 15 people and wounding 50 others. The next day, another bomb-laden car exploded in Bayaa neighborhood. As a result, 55 people lost their lives, while 60 others sustained injuries. According to the France Press news agency, the IS took charge of the explosions.
Good to see Iraqi air operating over the border. Al Anbar province lines have not moved much. Hope to see this change, it will relieve pressure on Deir Ezzor. Their #1 priority is Mosul, some good progress there, but casualties may be high. Maybe that PMU can help out over the border in the future also.