U.S. allies conduct 18 air strikes in Syria, Iraq - military

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S.-led forces targeted Islamic State militants in Syria with seven air strikes from Tuesday to Wednesday morning and conducted 11 strikes against the group in Iraq, the U.S. military said. Six of the strikes in Syria hit targets near Kobani, destroying Islamic State fighting positions and a vehicle and damaging tactical units, according to a military statement released on Wednesday. In Iraq, the strikes were concentrated near Bayji, where they hit a tactical unit and a command-and-control facility and destroyed a dump truck, motorcycle and armoured vehicle. Coalition forces also conducted air strikes near Fallujah, Ramadi, Rawah and Tal Afar. (Reporting by Lisa Lambert; Editing by Bill Trott)