Iraqi jets shelled an Islamic State (ISIS) explosive factory and other positions in Syria in a rare cross-border operation, the Iraqi military reported Friday.
Iraqi F-16 fighter jets pounded ISIS militant targets near the city of Hajin in coordination with the Syrian government, an Iraqi military spokesperson said.
Both the Syrian and Iraqi governments have been fighting the jihadist group since its emergence in 2014 after it took over large swaths of territory in the two fragile countries.
“We are carrying out airstrikes on Daesh (ISIS) on Syrian soil because of the danger ISIS poses to Iraq and is also proof of the improved capabilities of our armed forces,” the Iraqi military said in a statement.
The military operation was planned and carried out by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, with intelligence support from the US-led coalition, according to the statement.
