VIDEO: Iraqi warplanes destroy IS ‘command and control’ headquarters in Syria

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi warplanes continue to target Islamic State (IS) positions in Syria following air raids on Thursday against the extremist group’s headquarters near the Iraq border.

The Iraqi Security Information Center released a statement informing that its F-16 fighter jets conducted morning raids against IS’ “command and control” headquarters inside the al-Dashisha region of Syria.

The statement added the warplanes fired strikes in coordination with orders from Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“The strike achieved its objectives and the site was completely destroyed,” the statement pointed out.  

Since last year, Iraqi warplanes have repeatedly bombarded border areas in Syria where IS remains active.

The air raids mainly target the Dashisha region where the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighting IS are also advancing.

Last month, Iraqi security forces announced the capture of five senior IS leaders in a cross-border raid done in coordination with US-backed forces in Syria.

A coalition spokesperson had described the capture as “a significant blow” to the extremist group.

In previous remarks, Abadi vowed to “take all necessary measures” if the extremist group continues to threaten the security of Iraq.

Iraq has witnessed an IS resurgence of its own in recent months with the group claiming a string of bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings in areas previously liberated by Iraqi forces.

Despite announcing the group’s military defeat last December, Abadi has been forced to concede that the militants are still active in the country, especially through their sleeper cells.