U.S. reports 31 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria

A U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber aircraft flies over the Syrian town of Kobani, as seen from the Mursitpinar crossing on the Turkish-Syrian border in Sanliurfa province, following an air strike November 15, 2014 . REUTERS/Osman Orsal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and its allies conducted 31 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria on Thursday, the coalition leading the operations said in a statement on Friday. In Syria, a dozen strikes using fighters and drones near five cities included eight strikes near Mar'a and Manbij that struck seven tactical fighting units, destroyed several vehicles and wounded three Islamic State fighters. In Iraq, the coalition staged 19 strikes near nine cities, including seven strikes near Mosul and three near Ramadi that destroyed 16 fighting positions, several tunnels, vehicles and bunkers. (Reporting by Sandra Maler; Editing by Alan Crosby)