17 more air strikes target IS in Syria, Iraq

WASHINGTON, July 9 (KUNA) -- US-led coalition against so-called Islamic State (IS) launched 17 air strikes targeting the group in Syria and Iraq Friday, the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) said in its daily report Saturday.
In Syria, nine air strikes hit IS facilities near Ar Raqqah, Ayn Issa, Manbij, and Mar'a, striking two IS-used brides, three tactical units, a fighting position and an operations center, the report showed.
Meanwhile in Iraq, eight air strikes hit IS facilities near Bashir, Bayji, Hit, Mosul, Qayyarah, Ramadi, and Tal Afar, striking two weapons caches, two mortar systems, a rocket propelled grenade system, a recoilless rifle, an anti-air artillery piece, and six heavy machine guns, the report said.
CJTF-OIR maintains that one air strike count "means one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative effect for that location." However it can also mean a single aircraft launched a single missile, the report noted.
"Ground-based artillery fired in counter-fire or in fire support to maneuver roles are not classified as a strike," it added. (end) ys.bs