U.S., allies stage 18 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq, Syria: U.S. military

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and its allies conducted 18 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria on Wednesday, the coalition leading the operations said. In a statement released on Thursday, the Combined Joint Task Force said three strikes near Mar'a in Syria hit a logistics facility, a vehicle borne improvised explosive device facility and an ammunition storage center. In Iraq, 15 strikes near seven cities hit tactical units and a weapons facility and destroyed tunnel entrances, rocket rails, a weapons cache and multiple fighting positions, among other targets, the statement said. (Reporting by Megan Cassella; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)