For Americans, Christmas Day was a day of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and spending time with family and friends. For the Islamic State group, Christmas Day was anything but a party.
The Pentagon has reported that the U.S. conducted 17 airstrikes on the radical terrorist organization — 12 in Iraq and five in Syria — on Dec. 25, according to the Associated Press.
Fighter aircraft, bombers and remotely controlled aircraft targeted Islamic State group fighters, facilities and vehicles, hitting tunnels, explosive manufacturing sites, bridges, and other sites controlled by the group.
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The Pentagon reported that all U.S. aircraft returned safely following the strikes that were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve — an operation specifically designed to target the Islamic State group.
In response, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State group, released his first statement since May to say that the airstrikes only increase his group’s determination and resolve.
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Meanwhile, a U.S.-backed coalition of rebels in Syria — including Syrian Kurdish, Arab and Christian groups — captured a major dam on the Euphrates River from the Islamic State group as part of the coalition’s march on the terrorist group’s areas in northern Syria.
The Islamic State group has come under pressure in Syria and Iraq recently, as it lost the town Sinjar in Iraq last month, and areas across the border in Syria at the same time. Iraqi government troops are also advancing in the Islamic State-held city of Ramadi.
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Recent airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition and Russia in Syria have also destroyed Syrian oil facilities and killed several Islamic State group leaders.
We really couldn’t have given them a better Christmas gift.
H/T U.K. Daily Mail
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