US destroys 280 IS oil trucks in Syria

Syria

DAMASCUS, November 24, 2015 – A US air strike has destroyed 280 oil tanker trucks in use by the Islamic State (IS) in northeast Syria.

The US military said the strike took place in Deir ez-Zor. Reports have said warning shots and air-dropped leaflets were used to warn drivers of the impending strike.

The military initially reported a figure above 238 trucks, while US officials told NBC news the total was 280.

The US Department of Defense has said it will release a video of the strike later this week.

A similar strike last week destroyed another 116 oil tanker trucks. The bombings are part of a shift in tactics in the campaign against IS, which previously did not target oil facilities and equipment due to concerns over civilian casualties.