The Iraqi Air Force carried out on Thursday air strikes against ISIS militants based inside Syrian territory, according to a statement from government sources.

“On the orders of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Haider al-Abadi, our air force carried out deadly air strikes against terrorist groups in Syria on the borders of Iraq,” the statement said.

He said that “the strikes were carried out against militant groups operating in the Syrian territory as they pose a threat to Iraqi territory, and demonstrate the increased capabilities of our armed forces who are valiant in the prosecution and eradication of terrorism.”

“Our forces and their pursuit of terrorist gangs have saved many lives and helped dismantle the terrorist death machine. These strikes will help accelerate the elimination of militants in the region after we have eliminated them militarily in Iraq,” the statement said.

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For his part, the spokesman of the Joint Operations Command, Brigadier Yahya al-Zubaidi, said the Iraqi air strikes targeted ISIS suicide bombers near the Syrian area of Boukmal. opposite the Iraqi province of Qaim, stressing that the raids were carried out in coordination with the Syrian side.

This is not the first time that Iraqi aircraft bombed terrorist sites inside Syrian territory, Baghdad had announced in February 2017 similar bombing operations.



Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 14:02 - GMT 11:02