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Islamic State: US releases oil refinery strikes images Islamic State: US releases oil refinery strikes images
(35 minutes later)
The US military has released footage and still photos of its air strikes on oil refineries controlled by Islamic State (IS) militants in eastern Syria.The US military has released footage and still photos of its air strikes on oil refineries controlled by Islamic State (IS) militants in eastern Syria.
The raids, carried out by US, Saudi and UAE aircraft, targeted 12 refineries in Syria on a third night of air strikes against the militants.The raids, carried out by US, Saudi and UAE aircraft, targeted 12 refineries in Syria on a third night of air strikes against the militants.
IS has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria in recent months.IS has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria in recent months.
Sales of smuggled crude oil have helped finance its offensive in both countries.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 on Monday began targeting IS in Syria.The US has launched nearly 200 air strikes against the militants in Iraq since August and on Monday began targeting IS in Syria.
'Not over''Not over'
Footage released by the US Department of Defense on Thursday showed an overnight US air strike on the Jeribe refinery. Still images also showed the aftermath of this strike, and another attack on the Gbiebe refinery.Footage released by the US Department of Defense on Thursday showed an overnight US air strike on the Jeribe refinery. Still images also showed the aftermath of this strike, and another attack on the Gbiebe refinery.
The strikes hit "small-scale" refineries that were producing "between 300-500 barrels of refined petroleum per day", the Pentagon said.The strikes hit "small-scale" refineries that were producing "between 300-500 barrels of refined petroleum per day", the Pentagon said.
Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral 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 Admiral 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.
He said that the strikes had been effective but not yet decisive. He said that the strikes had been effective but not yet decisive: "Even after the hits they've taken, and they have been hit, they still have financing at their fingertips.
"We know there is a lot of work left to do. This group still remains viable inside Syria and inside Iraq. This is not by a long stretch over", he said. "They still have plenty of volunteers. They still have plenty of weapons and vehicles and the ability to move around."
"They still have plenty of weapons and vehicles and the ability to move around." It was, the Pentagon spokesman said, too soon to talk of "winning" against IS.
Rear Adm Kirby said that he was aware of reports that five civilians had been killed alongside 14 IS militants. Rear Adm Kirby said that he was aware of reports that five civilians had been killed alongside 14 IS militants and the Pentagon was investigating.
"We are aware of some reporting out there that there may have been civilian casualties, and we're taking a look at that," he said. Ten fighters from the UAE and Saudi Arabia joined six US jets to carry out Wednesday night's strikes, according to the US military.
Islamic State (IS) oil productionIslamic State (IS) oil production
Sources: Financial Times, EIA, Iraq Energy Institute, MaplecroftSources: Financial Times, EIA, Iraq Energy Institute, Maplecroft
In northern Syria, Kurdish forces say they have now pushed IS back after tens of thousands of Kurds fled to Turkey.In northern Syria, Kurdish forces say they have now pushed IS back after tens of thousands of Kurds fled to Turkey.
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.
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.
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.
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.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, 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.
In other developments:In other developments:
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
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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