U.S., allies launch 17 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria: U.S. military

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and its allies targeted Islamic State with 12 strikes in Iraq and five in Syria on Friday, the U.S. military said. Four of the strikes in Iraq hit Islamic State tactical units, three fighting positions and destroyed a machine gun position near Mosul, a statement issued on Saturday said. In Syria, four of the strikes were near Mar'a and damaged four Islamic State buildings. (Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Alison Williams)