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Islamic State crisis: US hits IS oil targets in Syria Islamic State crisis: US hits IS oil targets in Syria
(35 minutes later)
The US-led coalition against Islamic State (IS) has targeted 12 oil refineries in Syria on a third night of air strikes against the militants.The US-led coalition against Islamic State (IS) has targeted 12 oil refineries in Syria on a third night of air strikes against the militants.
Raids carried out by US, Saudi and UAE aircraft killed 14 of the group's fighters and five civilians in eastern Syria, activists said.Raids carried out by US, Saudi and UAE aircraft killed 14 of the group's fighters and five civilians in eastern Syria, activists said.
According to the Pentagon, the refineries generated up to $2m (£1.2m) per day in revenue for the militants.According to the Pentagon, the refineries generated up to $2m (£1.2m) per day in revenue for the militants.
In northern Syria, Kurdish forces say they have pushed back an IS advance.In northern Syria, Kurdish forces say they have pushed back an IS advance.
US President Barack Obama has vowed to dismantle the IS "network of death".US President Barack Obama has vowed to dismantle the IS "network of death".
Islamic State (IS) oil productionIslamic State (IS) oil production
Sources: Financial Times, EIA, Iraq Energy Institute, MaplecroftSources: Financial Times, EIA, Iraq Energy Institute, Maplecroft
IS has seized large areas of Syria and Iraq in recent months and controls several oilfields. Sales of smuggled crude oil have helped finance its offensive in both countries.IS has seized large areas of Syria and Iraq in recent months and controls several oilfields. Sales of smuggled crude oil have helped finance its offensive in both countries.
The US has launched nearly 200 air strikes against the militants in Iraq since August and expanded the operation against IS to Syria on Monday.The US has launched nearly 200 air strikes against the militants in Iraq since August and expanded the operation against IS to Syria on Monday.
In other developments In other developments:
'Successful strikes''Successful strikes'
The US military said the latest strikes, using fighter jets and drones, had hit "small-scale" refineries that were producing "between 300-500 barrels of refined petroleum per day".The US military said the latest strikes, using fighter jets and drones, had hit "small-scale" refineries that were producing "between 300-500 barrels of refined petroleum per day".
"We are still assessing the outcome of the attack on the refineries, but have initial indications that the strikes were successful," the US Central Command said in a statement."We are still assessing the outcome of the attack on the refineries, but have initial indications that the strikes were successful," the US Central Command said in a statement.
Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm John Kirby said the purpose of the strikes was "not necessarily to kill militants" but to destroy the facilities, which were funding IS through the black market.Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm John Kirby said the purpose of the strikes was "not necessarily to kill militants" but to destroy the facilities, which were funding IS through the black market.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group that monitors the Syrian conflict, said the strikes killed 14 IS fighters in Deir al-Zour and five civilians in Hassakeh. Planes came "with a terrifying sound and red lights before the explosions", said one activist quoted by AP news agency.
The strikes killed 14 IS fighters in Deir al-Zour and five civilians in Hassakeh, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group that monitors the Syrian conflict.
Kurdish forces said they had pushed back IS fighters near the Syrian town of Kobane, close to the border with Turkey.Kurdish forces said they had pushed back IS fighters near the Syrian town of Kobane, close to the border with Turkey.
There are reports of heavy gunfire outside the town, and Kurdish commanders have again called for coalition air strikes on IS positions in the area.There are reports of heavy gunfire outside the town, and Kurdish commanders have again called for coalition air strikes on IS positions in the area.
IS had besieged Kobane for several days, taking control of the surrounding villages and forcing more than 140,000 Syrian Kurds to flee into Turkey.IS had besieged Kobane for several days, taking control of the surrounding villages and forcing more than 140,000 Syrian Kurds to flee into Turkey.
The BBC's Mark Lowen, who is on the Syria-Turkey border, says some of those Kurds are now trying to return to Kobane to fight with the Kurdish militia.The BBC's Mark Lowen, who is on the Syria-Turkey border, says some of those Kurds are now trying to return to Kobane to fight with the Kurdish militia.
Turkey has been overwhelmed by an estimated 1.5 million Syrian and Iraqi refugees since the conflict in Syria between opposition forces and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began three years ago.Turkey has been overwhelmed by an estimated 1.5 million Syrian and Iraqi refugees since the conflict in Syria between opposition forces and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began three years ago.
Rebel forces have faced several setbacks in recent months amid offensives against them by both IS fighters and Syrian government forces.
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council adopted a binding resolution compelling states to prevent their nationals joining jihadists in Iraq and Syria.On Wednesday, the UN Security Council adopted a binding resolution compelling states to prevent their nationals joining jihadists in Iraq and Syria.
President Obama chaired the session and said nations must prevent the recruitment and financing of foreign fighters.
The US says more than 40 countries have offered to join the anti-IS coalition.The US says more than 40 countries have offered to join the anti-IS coalition.
Coalition growing UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said the British military is ready to "play its part" in the fight against IS and the UK Parliament has been recalled to discuss plans for air strikes.
On Wednesday, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said the British military was also ready to "play its part" in the fight against IS. The Dutch government has also said it is deploying six F-16 fighters to join the US-led air campaign.
The UK Parliament has been recalled to discuss plans for air strikes against IS on Friday.
The Dutch government has also said it is deploying six F-16 fighter to join the US-led air campaign.
Who are Islamic State (IS)?Who are Islamic State (IS)?
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukHave you been affected by the issues raised in this story? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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