U.S. destroys IS tanks in Syria during fourth wave of airstrikes

US-led air strikes on Islamic State (IS) militants have destroyed four tanks and damaged another during a fourth night of bombardments in Syria. The Pentagon said it also carried out seven strikes on IS positions in Iraq, including one on the outskirts of the capital, Baghdad. In a statement, the US Department of Defense said it had destroyed nine IS vehicles and damaged others in Iraq. The strikes were carried out by “a mix of fighter, attack and remotely piloted aircraft”, it said. The Danish government says it is sending seven F-16 fighter jets to join anti-IS operations - but only in Iraq. The UK parliament is due to vote on possible air strikes in Iraq on Friday.

We’ll strike targets of opportunity when present. Additionally, ISR will allow us to develop more stationary targets we can strike when we choose.

Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steve Warren

IS controls much of north-eastern Syria and earlier this year seized swathes of territory in neighbouring Iraq, including the second city, Mosul. After previous US-led air strikes, militants beheaded three Western hostages. Earlier, the European Union’s anti-terrorism chief told the BBC that about 3,000 Europeans had gone to join Islamists in the region.

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