Coalition has sunk 100 IS boats to scuttle watercraft maneuvers

September 25, 2016 15:13

The United States-led coalition's warplanes have reportedly sunk over 100 Islamic State boats, destroying 65 of them this month, as part of efforts to blunt the terror group's use of watercraft to transport fighters and conduct attacks.

While Iraq is nearly entirely land-locked, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that cross that country are navigable, and IS has been using watercraft for a variety of purposes, including transporting fighters and conducting improvised explosive attacks.

US and allied warplanes have destroyed 65 of them in September alone, according to the international military coalition.

The US-led anti-ISIS coalition provided CNN with video of a September 10 airstrike against an IS tactical unit aboard a boat near Bayji, Iraq.

Barges, skiffs and motorised watercraft have been observed operating along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for the purpose of ferrying IS fighters and equipment across the rivers, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesperson Colonel Joseph Scrocca was quoted as saying.

It happens often when anti-IS Iraqi troops control the area's bridges, he said.

Coalition bombs have also targeted bridges used by IS, thereby further necessitating the terror group's reliance on boats.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Real Madrid book Champions League final date with Dortmund

This sets up Real Madrid final against Borussia Dortmund, who knocked out Paris Saint-Germain in the other semi-final.

Missing 'Tarak Mehta' actor Gurucharan Singh operated over 10 bank accounts

50-year-old Singh is believed to have been visiting his parents in Delhi and was expected to return to Mumbai. However, the actor has not been heard from since April 22.

Salman home firing: HC nod for 2nd PM of accused who died in police custody

The direction came on a petition filed by Anuj Kumar's mother Reeta Devi, who sought a fresh examination.

Salman home firing: Shooters unaware of target until ....., say police

The Mumbai police's crime branch, during the interrogation of the duo, found Pal and Gupta were given the shooting task by Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, but they had no idea they had to fire at...

Chaos at airports as Air India Express cancels 100 flights; 15K flyers hit

Discontent has been brewing among a section of the cabin crew at the low-cost carrier for some time now, especially after the start of the process of merger of AIX Connect, formerly AirAsia India, with itself.