An ISIS fighter in an Iraqi oil refinery.
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U.S. planes have destroyed an estimated 283 oil trucks of ISIS organization near the border between Syria and Iraq, Pentagon said Tuesday. The claims come as the U.S. additionally states its coalition is hitting numerous tanker trucks – albeit nowhere near as many strikes as Moscow states it conducted.
The attack by four A-10 attack planes and two AC-130 gunships was carried out Saturday at a site near Deir el-Zour and al-Hasakah but not reported until Monday. The Pentagon said it had previously avoided the fuel trucks over fears of civilian casualties, and said it dropped leaflets ahead of these recent attacks to warn drivers to abandon their trucks ahead of the bombings.
The destruction of the ISIS oil trucks follows a major weekend of strikes against the militants.
Intensified air strikes by the U.S and Russian militaries reflect how the countries are focused to use worldwide efforts against the ISIS and degrade their ability to utilize oil as their main financial support. The targets included a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device facility – one of ISIS’ most damaging weapons – and earthen bridges the group constructed and various ISIS tactical units and fighting positions. Army Col. Steve Warren, a US military spokesman in Baghdad, said in an email exchange that the vehicles were oil tanker trucks and that the attack was part of the broader oil targeting campaign.
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Daesh is suspected to earn upwards of $40 million a month from illegally exporting crude oil.
