US-led coalition hits Islamic State jihadists with 31 air strikes

The US-led coalition pounded the Islamic State jihadist group with 31 air strikes on Friday, including more than a dozen in the flashpoint Syrian town of Kobane, the Pentagon said. The 13 strikes in Kobane, which is known as Ain al-Arab in Arabic, destroyed 19 fighting positions, as well as IS buildings, staging areas and a vehicle, the Defense Department said in a statement. Several tactical units were also hit by fighter and bomber aircraft, as well drones, the statement said. Fighting over Kobane began in mid-September, when the IS launched a bid to take over the town on the border with Turkey. The US-led coalition has been launching air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria since September 23.