U.S.-led air strikes target Islamic State Syria, Iraq against Islamic State : U.S

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. and coalition forces conducted 18 air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq since Wednesday, the U.S. military said on Thursday. The 10 strikes in Iraq hit targets near Baiji, Fallujah, Makhmur, Mosul, Sinjar and Tal Afar, destroying Islamic State tactical units, a tunnel system, fighting positions and heavy machine guns, the Combined Joint Task Force said in a statement. Eight air strikes in Syria targeted tactical units, a staging area and trench system, as well as fighting positions and vehicles near Al Hasakah, Aleppo, Ar Raqqah and Kobani, the statement said. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Sandra Maler)