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US air strike 'hits 238 IS oil trucks' in Syria | US air strike 'hits 238 IS oil trucks' in Syria |
(35 minutes later) | |
A US air strike has destroyed more than 238 fuel trucks controlled by Islamic State (IS) militants in north-east Syria, the US military has said. | A US air strike has destroyed more than 238 fuel trucks controlled by Islamic State (IS) militants in north-east Syria, the US military has said. |
It is thought the pilots found the trucks parked up together, waiting to be loaded at an oil production point near al-Hasakah and Dayr Az Zawr. | It is thought the pilots found the trucks parked up together, waiting to be loaded at an oil production point near al-Hasakah and Dayr Az Zawr. |
Warning shots were reportedly fired to scare away the civilian drivers, before the destruction of the trucks began. | Warning shots were reportedly fired to scare away the civilian drivers, before the destruction of the trucks began. |
IS makes large amounts of money from oil it produces from seized facilities. | IS makes large amounts of money from oil it produces from seized facilities. |
The US Department of Defense says it will release video of the air raid, which took place over the weekend. | The US Department of Defense says it will release video of the air raid, which took place over the weekend. |
Last week another 116 tankers were destroyed in a previous air strike. | Last week another 116 tankers were destroyed in a previous air strike. |
"This was conducted in many ways identical to our last," Pentagon spokesman, Capt Jeff Davis, said on Monday. | "This was conducted in many ways identical to our last," Pentagon spokesman, Capt Jeff Davis, said on Monday. |
"It was proceeded with a leaflet drop to warn drivers out of their trucks as well as a show of force". | "It was proceeded with a leaflet drop to warn drivers out of their trucks as well as a show of force". |
Mr Davis said there were no reports of civilian casualties. | Mr Davis said there were no reports of civilian casualties. |
The oil lorry strikes are part of Operation Tidal Wave II, a change in tactics on the part of the coalition. Previously, petrol supplies were largely avoided because of the impact on civilian populations. | The oil lorry strikes are part of Operation Tidal Wave II, a change in tactics on the part of the coalition. Previously, petrol supplies were largely avoided because of the impact on civilian populations. |
A US-led coalition began a campaign of air strikes in Syria and Iraq in 2014, after IS took large parts of both countries. | |
A series of terror attacks in Paris 10 days ago for which IS claimed responsibility have intensified the air campaign in recent days. |