U.S. leads 19 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq, Syria: U.S. military

WASHINGTON(Reuters) - The United States and its allies conducted 19 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria on Saturday, the coalition leading the operations said. In a statement released early Sunday, the Combined Joint Task Force said six strikes focused near Al Hasakah and Manbij in Syria destroyed a heavy machine gun, a building, vehicles and other weapons. In Iraq, 13 strikes near nine cities hit a weapons factory and storage facility and destroyed bulldozers, an explosive device and a fighting position, among other targets, the statement said. (Reporting by Megan Cassella; Editing by Mark Potter)